I'm a little conflicted about this book. The magic system was interesting- pain and pleasure bring about magic- but it felt almost like the Pleasure part of the system was put in there to easily add the sexual tension in there. Admittedly, I'm falling out of love with romantasy, so sexual tension from early on grinds on me more than it probably should, so I can't judge it too harshly. But I do almost wish pain was the only way to gain magic.

The romance also didn't grip me. Again, as I'm falling out of love with romantasy, I'm als0 falling out of love with the "dark, broody, sad man with a tragic backstory" love interest. Levan just didn't give me a side of him that I thought placed him in a category separate from the other broody MMCs in other romantasies.

Given all that, I did still enjoy this book. It was medium-to-fast paced, the world building was interesting (though I did want more of it), and I thought Saffron was a good FMC. Also as a small point I enjoyed, I really like how people can literally shatter and their medics can just.... put them back together. That's actually very fun. The journey Saffron went through was satisfying, if a little too easy for what the summary said it would be, and I did really enjoy the ending and am intrigued in reading more by L.K.!

I will also say that I enjoyed this more than her YA book, though that may also be because it was too similar to Addie LaRue (which I also didn't like). Either way, I look forward to reading more adult books by her!

Silvercloak by L.K. Steven

A fantastic tale of good versus evil, wands, and a magic system built upon pleasure and pain. Saffron, our heroine, has endured hardship. Somehow, through tidbits of trickery, Saffron’s aspirations of being a Silvercloak are firmly cemented. L.K. Steven, our esteemed author and world-builder, magically touches our cortex, weaving a new world to explore. In a lifelike tapestry, the story emerges, spanning generations. Saffron must fulfill a prophecy—planting a simple kiss, thus sealing the fate and ending the tyranny wielded by the Bloodmoons. Speaking of Bloodmoons, those of the scarlet cloak, Levan is the target of Saffron’s attention. A fortuitous love/hate story emerges, ravaged by lies and deceit. Internal battles ripen as characters struggle with preconceived notions and motives. The narrative culminates in a crescendo of complex endings that will challenge even the most steadfast fans of the fantasy genre.

My imaginary wand zipped through the sky back into my clutches. Casting my self-preservation bubble, I waited to see which side would become victorious. Naturally, with such an affinity to wand worship, there will be those who compare this to a Harry Potter novel, and on many levels, there are similarities. A girl goes off to enhance her innate abilities to fight the good fight against the baddies, wanding galore, yet all is not what it seems. That is not to say it is a direct copy-and-paste affair. Drinking hot chocolate, tasting delectable candies, or perhaps taking a more animalistic approach at a pleasure house are all examples of restoring wells of magical power resulting from pleasure. Conversely, pain also leads to the restoration of magical abilities. The wand-wielder scraping a limb upon a sharp rock, for example. A creative approach indeed.

L.K. Stevens' pacing was perfect. While I don’t believe the story in and of itself is groundbreaking, hence the Harry Potter reference, the delivery was exquisite. The size of the chapters lent to a consistent and steady read. Nothing felt overly hurried, and all of the ideas had time to form and conclude sensibly. The prose was wonderful, and the pages were easily digested one after the other.

The complexity of Levan in particular grabbed hold of me and never let go. I am by no means a great connoisseur of romantic fantasy, but if you are, this story will surely have you hooked. His deep emotional issues revealed a nexus of turmoil that constantly had me second-guessing my stance. Not to be outdone was the writing of Saff. Likeable, every ounce of her. I stood by her; I applauded her decisions. Our author sank her literary teeth one by one, breaking my skin, and pulled me into her clutches as she unleashed a remarkable cast of characters and fleshed out an amazing experience.

Ok, so my only complaint was the sexual encounters. It gets a bit spicy. Flames licking off the skin, sweat glistening off the skin, Fabio-type of spice. It isn’t the focal point of the novel and shouldn’t keep you from reading an otherwise stellar fantasy story, but it has to be said, it can be a bit much. That said, I don’t read much in the way of romantic fantasies, so I have nothing to compare it with. For those with more “experience,” the book will be a delectable piece of cake.

Simply put, L.K. Steven has put together a fantastic start to a series. The novel fulfilled everything I love about the fantasy genre. Rothfuss’ “The Name of the Wind” was a book that captivated me in the same way, which says something, considering my affinity for that series. Complex in its approach and yet simple in delivery. The book doesn’t get bogged down by superfluous words or unnecessary complexity. Did I mention this novel has an element of rewinding time? Cloak & Daggery, rare metals, a color-coded system, and necromancy? I have said enough! I am giving this 4.5 stars out of 5, rounding up to 5 stars. Highly, highly recommended!

Many thanks to Random House Publishing - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the ARC through NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion.

4.5 stars. This book was actually very well done. This is definitely Harry Potter( in magic system vibes/ academy setting only ) meets mafia dark romance. Forbidden enemies to lovers which I LOVED. Romance is definitely the subplot here so while I wish there was more, I don't think that's what the author was going for. This was angsty, dark, twisty, and full of emotional chaos and I fear it ATE.

Thank you Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for the E-arc!

Zero notes. So good. We are thrown immediately into the action and I love that. A lot going on but I ate this story up.

Okay um, respectfully, this shit slapped.

I really don’t have any notes. Nothing else to say. It was addictive, overwhelmingly tense, and the density of the world-building and the complexity of the characters has me salivating for more of this series. Could it have been a touch darker at times, once Saff infiltrates this supposedly dark underworld? Perhaps. Was Saff herself a touch too nonsensical at times, making decisions a so-called detective of her caliber wouldn’t? Eh, there’s an argument there for sure. I also felt the writing got a tiny bit bogged down at times with the sheer amount of world-building and exposition the author wanted to get across, but I’m fairly accustomed to that in my epic fantasies.

I went into this with zero expectations. I honestly didn’t even read the synopsis. And I am left with all my flabbers thoroughly gasted. The magic system and world are so rich. The relationship that forms between the two MCs is so nail-bitingly tense and yet heart-warming with some sizzling chemistry in besides, and don’t even get me started on Levan in general. We will die for this man, no questions asked. I am gnawing on the bars of my enclosure until I get some answers in the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

When she was a child, Saffron’s parents were brutally murdered in front of her by members of the Bloodmoon gang. Now, ostensibly kicked out of the Silvercloak Academy, she’s given the opportunity to go undercover to destroy the Bloodmoons from the inside. But from the start, she’s asked to commit terrible acts that take her further and further from the noble goal of avenging her parents. And she’s starting to develop feelings for the kingpin’s handsome but tortured son…

Another reviewer described this as “queer harry potter with organized crime and timeweaving” and that’s honestly the best pithy way I can imagine describing this. Silvercloak Academy is essentially a training ground for Aurors. The Bloodmoons are clearly Death Eaters. And so on. It’s a loving tribute rather than a direct copy, I think. I really like how the setting is fleshed out to explore how magic is generated (pain and pleasure, which gives ample room for the author to stretch her legs in this adult fantasy) and that so many of the characters are bi or pansexual.

The less good. I think there are some plot holes somewhat hastily papered over and the book has a bit of a YA feel to it in terms of complexity despite the violence and sex. The dark haired, morally grey, tortured love interest is overdone here, but I think there’s room to work outside of the tropes in the sequels.

Overall, it’s a fun and quick read, and my ultimate rating will depend a lot on the subsequent volumes and how they address the many dangling threads.

When she was 6, the Bloodmoons, a ruthless organized crime syndicate, murdered Saffron Killoran's parents. Bent on revenge but impeded by a unique ability to not be affected by magic, Saff lies her way into Silvercloak Academy so that she can train to become one of the city's elite detectives and take down the Bloodmoons. Following her final exam, her deception is exposed, but rather than expel her from the academy, her chief gives her the opportunity to go undercover, where her unique gift will allow her to go when no one before has been able to. As she gets close to the kingpin's son, Levan, Saff starts to question her loyalties and the mission for revenge that has driven her entire life.

I loved how unique the magic system felt. Although it initially reminded me of Harry Potter, where spells are cast with wands using verbal commands, what really drew me in was that every person has a magical store that depletes as magic is used. This store can be replenished by either pleasure or pain, but the effect is different depending on which is used as pleasure refills with a higher quantity of magic while pain refills with a higher quality of magic.

The relationship between Saffron and Levan gets plenty of focus and development without being the entire focus of the story (although it does become more of a focus in the last 20% of the book). This is a true enemies to lovers relationship, though they both have their own motivations for getting close to one another initially. There are a couple of spicy scenes but if that's not your jam, they can easily be skipped over (the language is also pretty mild during these scenes).

The story itself is definitely on the darker side. Saff gets put in some truly awful situations where she has to make difficult decisions, and I'd say she behaves more adult than I would expect from an author who typically writes YA (this book is Laura Steven's adult debut).

Overall, I absolutely loved this story and the characters, and I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out, especially after that ending!

Read if you like:
Prophecy
Revenge
Spellcasting magic
Time travel
Enemies to lovers
Wolf companion

📚review 📚
Silvercloak - LK Stevens

I saw someone describe this as Harry Potter meets a mafia romance and tbh, that is a great way to describe it - minus the obvious problematic author views on trans people…

Anyway, Silvercloak starts off with Saff and her school friends getting ready for their final test before they graduate into Silvercloaks, a kind of magical detective agency, who are desperately trying to take down the Bloodmoons - a gang involved in criminal activity. It has a super unique magical system, where a person’s magic is regenerated through either pleasure or pain. I’m a wuss and so don’t find myself in many pleasurable or painful situations, so I would never graduate into either a magical detective agency or a mafia-style gang, but that’s fine by me!

Our FMC is Saff, orphaned after a Bloodmoon raid on her home. She is fuelled with her need to take the gang down, hence her enrollment in the Silvercloaks, but she doesn’t expect to be offered the ultimate undercover job of infiltrating the gang, and she certainly doesn’t expect to actually like her Bloodmoon mentor Levan.

Though we have a lot of unsavoury stuff going on once Saff joins the Bloodmoons, it wasn’t as high stakes as it could be but I did love Saff’s fascination at how far she could bend her moral compass - there was a great moment where she realises that this fascination and repulsion combined is how villains are made which was a chef’s kiss moment. All in all there were parts of her time in the Bloodmoons that were a bit lacklustre and some of the narration was a little immature - this didn’t read like an adult fantasy but the magic system and the sizzling tension between Saff and Levan was enough for me to continue.

The romance between Saff and Levan was pretty good - some excellent banter and Levan was the ultimate sad boy ™ so obviously I love him. He’s a nerdy, fantasy book loving murderer and I can get behind that. Where the relationship is left at the end of the book makes me very excited for the next instalment - though I have no idea where we can go from here.

Silvercloak is out in July. Thank you @netgalley for the early copy.

Props to this book for being a really fun, new take in the fantasy genre.

There were moments I felt it hard to connect overall, but I still enjoyed myself throughout.

I am having a hard time trying to read this. I think it was a wonderful idea but I just dont think this is for me. I personally feel like i couldn't connect to this book. It took me awhile just to read the first chapter. It was too much info and it got confusing. It didn't grip me like I thought it would. I feel awful for saying this and in no way do I want to hurt anyone's feelings who do love this book or the author who put much time and effort into it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Thank you so much to L. K. Stevens, Del Rey and NetGalley for this e-arc

4.75 stars

Okay that was an absolute adventure! Harry Potter meets magic wielding crime fighters meets the mafia. I mean what more could you want. This was absolutely monumental starting out with Saffron. What an interesting character! Being able to nullify magic and having to keep it a secret thinking she is less than and then given the undercover mission of a lifetime oh and by the way you are gonna probably have a complicated romantic entanglement with the son of the kingpin and kill him. No. Not complicated at all. Then we have Levan, this ruthless, torturer and the sone of the kingpi, but he has so many sides to himself. He has a childlike kindness and vulnerability that is startling at times and at such odds with his no feelings persona. He has this constant internal battle going that he is losing against and enter Silver... I mean Saffron and boom defenses gone. Then we have the absolute complexity of this story and the brilliance. I mean I cannot rave about this enough this was absolutely fantastic and I cannot wait like literally.. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENT I NEED IT NOW! PLEASE

DNF at 34%

This is a bit sad as I was super excited to get into this one but this was just too stuffy. The numerous over-detailed descriptions and the constant info dumping really dragged me down. As I’m already in a book slump, this really did not help. I think the book itself as lots of potential, think Harry Potter but adults with an enemies to lovers and queer representation, and the characters and their chemistry could be interesting if it wasn’t for the writing.

Thank you for netgalley for the arc opportunity.

The story throws a lot at you at the beginning. it felt a bit dry in the first half but the unique magic system and interesting plot kept my going. And oh boy, does the ending DELIVER. The last line left chills.

✨𝓢𝓲𝓵𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓬𝓵𝓸𝓪𝓴 𝓫𝔂 𝓛.𝓚 𝓢𝓽𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀✨

I really loved how they were mages and used wands! I haven’t read a story in a very long time where they use wands to cast spells, was really cool! I thought the powers and spells were unique and I liked them.

I liked the concept of this book and enjoyed how the plot played out. It was a little predictable but I still enjoyed it.

I felt like there was a lot of information provided to the reader and sometimes I struggled with this.

I did find the relationship a little superficial between the FMC & MMC.

-> Thank you to Netgalley & Del Rey UK for an ARC copy of this book! ✨🪄

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

My review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I say I couldn't put this book down, I quite literally INHALED it. I read Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven and I was absolutely captivated by how beautiful Laura's writing is, and Silvercloak was no different. From the first page I was obsessed with this story, especially when you're constantly kept on your toes with plot twists that make you question everything. Laura absolutely mastered the pacing in this book and you never felt bored, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time trying to brace myself for what's to come.

The world and magic system are both so unique and different from what you usually find in fantasy books, it was a breath of fresh air. I loved the concept of magic being fuelled by pleasure or pain, and the costs and limitations of using said magic. I loved the undercover spy concept and this really elevated the suspense and kept the tension going throughout the book.

Now onto our two main characters. Their dynamic was executed perfectly. If enemies to lovers needed a definition it would be Saffron and Levan. I simply couldn't get enough. Every interaction, conversation, revealed a tiny bit more and you could see the walls crumbling down between them in the most natural way. I won't spoil the nickname Levan has for Saff, but it probably is one of my favourites 🥹 The best part about their connection was their love for the same book. And a particular scene where Levan makes something for Saffron related to the book (imagine reading this whilst knowing Saff was undercover all along, yep it physically STUNG).

With how epic the story was, I knew there would be a shocking plot twist at the end. But even that didn't prepare me for the ending. The last 2 sentences in the Epilogue had me audibly gasping out loud!!!

I don't think 5 stars or my review can do this book justice. Silvercloak will be published 29th July 2025 and I can already tell the wait for book 2 is going to be pure torture. If you're after a captivating fantasy romance, full of tension, politics, true enemies to lovers, high stakes and unique magic system this one is for you!

If you're an adult who is missing the magic of the Wizarding World and wants a darker story that gives Six of Crows and A Darker Shade of Magic vibes, then L.K. Steven's Silvercloak is 100% the next book you should pick up. It has wands, a unique power system, time travel, mafia, detectives, queer-normative relationships, and fancy cloaks to immerse you in a new fantasy sensation.

I am going to be totally honest, it took me a while to really start enjoying this book. Not because the worldbuilding isn't awesome or the characters aren't entertaining. It was simply due to the narration style. It was a third-person point of view, but something about it was a bit... dry. It took me a good chunk of the book to really connect with all of the cool elements of the story just because I wasn't feeling the writing choices. However, once I did start to connect, I was hooked. I'd tell myself to take a break, but the next thing I know, I've managed to read two more chapters. It's an easy story to get absorbed in once you become familiar with that drier tone. That's definitely where the Six of Crows and A Darker Shade of Magic comparisons come in too, in addition to the mafia and magic elements, of course. Both of those titles have a third-person limited POV that feels a tad slower and heavier than popular stories like the Crescent City or Shatter Me books. I think both of those series would compare well for their magic systems and characters, however.

The main character of Silvercloak, Saffron Killoran, is a recently-promoted detective trying to avenge her parents' death by going undercover in a mafia organization called the Bloodmoons. Now, Saffron isn't particularly unique in terms of her personality, she's witty and competent like most female main characters (exceptions will be discussed soon), but she is immune to spells in a world where spells and potions are used for pretty much everything, from healing to pleasure to flying to time travel. I enjoyed Saffron as a character, but there were some instances where she made some very odd and dumb mistakes, like when she went to visit her superior officer twice while beginning her undercover work. I'm also surprised her superior was dumb enough to arrange it. And of course, there's the love interest, the mafia prince, Levan Celadon. He has a pet wolf, a crazy amount of power, and a tragic backstory. Everything you need in a good fantasy romance plotline. He gives off major Kaz Brekker, Kell Maresh, and Aaron Warner vibes.

As for the plot, Saffron's journey to get her vengeance is addicting. You want to know what happens next. You simply have to make it through the first third of the book to really get to that point, unfortunately. But, there's a lot of action, betrayal, and intrigue throughout the story. Honestly, if the narration style had been revamped, this could have easily been a five-star read, especially with the worldbuilding. I enjoyed learning about the ways the spells were used to enhance everyday life, and how pleasure/pain could be used to increase power, though I think that element could have been a bit grittier. There was also a small plot hole in that time travel spells were removed from wands, but somehow killing curses weren't. It was a head-scratcher. There is a whole history of time-traveling mages and dragons that has me ready for book two, though. But the thing I'm most looking forward to is Saffron and Levan's relationship. Things took a crazy turn at the end of book one, so the sequel is going to be insane.

All in all, I am truly happy I kept going with this book, even though it seemed like the beginning was going to make it a quick DNF. Do I think Silvercloak is for everyone? Not at all. If you're not a lover of fantasy first, then this definitely isn't for you. It's also for readers who can stick with those slower tomes, understanding that the end of the book will reveal all the good stuff. But, if you're a reader who likes the hard work to be worth it, Silvercloak should immediately be added to your TBR. I promise, it'll be a rewarding investment.

4 stars

*Note: I received a copy of this book to review from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affected my opinion/review.

Thank you @randomhouse for providing this book for review consideration via @netgalley . All opinions are my own.

I have seen this ARC all over my social media so I had to read it myself.
This was enemies to lovers, slow burn fantasy.
World building was amazing and very deeply described.
I loved the plot and the twists.
Definitely will keep reading this series when the time comes.

Recommended to any romantasy genre readers.

This was one of the best books I have ever read.

Not only was the last line of the book EPIC. The epilogue also slayed!!

The chemistry between Saffron & Levan kept me turning the page well into the night. The action packed ending had me biting my nails as everything unfolded.

I so cannot wait for the next one!!

Thank you to Random House for the advanced review copy of this book.

I was very excited to read this until I saw the author promoting the book with AI. As such, I won't be reading it but felt it was right to let other readers know.

4.5 ⭐️

The Bloodmoons killed her parents. Now she is one.

Saffron is on the verge of graduating as a Silvercloak—the elite order of detectives—when everything falls apart and her biggest secret is exposed. But instead of being cast out, she’s handed an impossible mission: infiltrate the very group that destroyed her life.

This was SUCH a refreshing take on fantasy!

The magic system, the setting, the world-building, the plot, the political intrigue, the high stakes, the incredibly morally grey characters, everything made this a standout read. It’s got undercover spies, mafia-style organized crime, gritty and dark magic systems, and a splash of Harry Potter vibes.

Saff (FMC) and Levan (MMC) are both morally grey and have to do heinous things to survive.  They’re sworn enemies, but they can’t help the tension that starts to build between them. The grit, the darkness, the longing, the yearning. Their shared hunger for vengeance, and the weight it carries, shapes them in deeply personal yet conflicting ways, creating a striking emotional thread that runs throughout the story and between their growing relationship.

I’m SO excited to see where the characters go next. That ending? Absolute chaos and left the perfect setup for book two.

If you’re into dark(ish) fantasy with unique magic systems and layered characters, this one’s for you. It drops in July! 

Before reading, though, I would check the trigger warnings because there are several potential triggers mentioned.  

And finally - thank you so much to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!