Fantasy, first in a series. A Princess, hidden, revealed. Heidi knows little of Verdélian when she is brought as one of the four members of the Royalty. Thrown in at the deep end she has Much to learn about Verdélian life and politics, magic and romance. And a prophecy that now hangs over this place. Insurrection in the city and Country abounds as a fifth, and evil player, spreads their insidious evil. This first book sets the scene of a much larger story to come. Thank you to Damon Creative Studio LLC and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

"Daughter of Water" is a beautifully written fantasy that echoes the charm of traditional fantasy storytelling. It doesn’t rely on constant twists or relentless danger lurking behind every stone. Instead, it unfolds naturally, drawing the reader into its world with depth and steady pacing.

The story follows four Firstborn heirs, each destined to rule, as they navigate a kingdom threatened by a hidden darkness. The protagonist’s journey stands out—she isn’t instantly powerful or fearless. Instead, she learns, stumbles, and grows, making her a truly relatable and compelling character. The contrast between her and the more experienced figures is well-balanced: she doesn’t overshadow them, yet she proves her worth when it matters most.

Another highlight is the romance, which develops with an endearing softness. It’s not an all-consuming love story but a gentle, slow-burn connection built on small moments and quiet gestures, making it even more touching and sincere.

Bonus points for titled chapters, which add extra charm! I can’t wait to read the sequel.

A.S. Dampt’s Daughter of Water, the first installment of The Verdélian Chronicles, is a beautifully woven fantasy novel that immerses readers in an enchanting world brimming with magic, prophecy, and self-discovery. What sets this book apart is its intricate blend of nature-based magic, lyrical prose, and deep emotional resonance.

At its heart is Sylvie, a girl with a mysterious connection to water, who finds herself drawn into a world far grander—and more perilous—than she ever imagined. The novel is steeped in Verdélian lore, introducing a kingdom where magic is deeply tied to the land and its people. As Sylvie navigates her heritage and destiny, the book offers readers a rich tapestry of world-building that rivals some of the best fantasy epics.

Dampt excels in crafting a vivid setting, from the lush gardens of Verdélys to the shimmering waters that whisper secrets to Sylvie. The prose is immersive, poetic at times, making it easy to lose oneself in the depth of the narrative. Themes of belonging, fate versus free will, and the weight of expectation are woven throughout, giving the story emotional depth beyond its magical adventure.

While Daughter of Water shines in its world-building and character development, the pacing in the first half may feel slow for readers eager for high-stakes action. However, those who appreciate intricate storytelling and immersive atmospheres will find the gradual unfolding of Sylvie’s journey deeply rewarding.

This book is a must-read for fans of atmospheric fantasy with strong heroines, rich mythology, and a touch of the mystical. It’s a promising start to what feels like a saga worth following.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was an interesting read. I think the world building was very well done. The magic system wasn’t hard to understand and yet it was still unique and well integrated. I feel like there were points that there was a lot of info dumping which made the story drag.
There was a lot more telling, especially in regards to the political situation, than showing.
I also feel like the only character that was developed and given an arc was Heidi/Sylvie. The rest of the First Borne felt very one dimensional. I feel like Gaëtan all but disappeared by halfway through. I also feel like there weren’t very high stakes or excitement throughout, and the climax felt strangely paced speeding up the end of the story in comparison to the rest.

I will probably be reading the sequel, but I wanted to see more of Sylvie and Loïc’s relationship beyond a few moments here and there. I did like Sylvie and Margot‘s growing friendship. I am excited to see how the quests work out. I like how the plot was formatted and it was a fun read. I do also think and hope that we see more age-appropriate content. All four of the firstborns were 20 but they were referred to his children so often they could’ve been 16 and nothing in the story would’ve changed.

The book was decent for what it is. I found it strange at first but got more into in towards the end when the writing style improved. There were many things that threw me off. First in the beginning of the before Heidi was in her new home, her two different names were used interchangeably and did not flow. One sentence it will use Heidi then in the next sentence it will use her other name Sylvie.
The journey to her new home was also very confusing for me. I know that it said it was going to take a moon but with the writing of the journey I got the impression that it was only max of four days. Then Heidi said it was 36 or 37 days, then the next paragraph said almost two moons.
There is also the problem of some of the names. The name Meredith and Donovan each showed up once in the story, no idea where they came from but from the writing I knew it was the other characters. Throughout the middle of the book the names Lo'ic and Gaetan didn't have the punctuations above the names that showed up in the rest of the book, I understand they were French names so they should definitely have them.
The battle at the palace was very entertaining but it needed the protagonist to be more involved in it. From the writing she was just there and not really involved until she was hiding behind a wall. But in the flashback it said that she killed an imp.
The part about rescuing Gaetan was a great part and I love how Sylvie helped to get him out.
All in all it did hook me by the end even with the problems in it.

Daughter of Water by A.S. Dampt is such a good story. I rated it 5 stars because I couldn't put it down for a second. Such an amazing story.

Daughter of Water by A.S. Dampt is a mesmerising fantasy novel that excels in its intricate world-building and immersive storytelling. Set in a richly imagined world where elemental magic and ancient traditions shape the lives of its inhabitants, the novel follows the journey of a young protagonist who discovers her extraordinary connection to the element of water. Dampt crafts a vivid and expansive universe that feels both magical and grounded, drawing readers into a realm where every detail is meticulously thought out.

The world-building in Daughter of Water is nothing short of exceptional. Dampt creates a tapestry of cultures, histories, and landscapes that feel alive and dynamic. From the shimmering, water-filled cities to the rugged, elemental temples, each setting is described with such clarity and depth that it’s easy to lose yourself in the story. The magic system, rooted in the four elements, is both innovative and well-integrated into the world, adding a layer of authenticity to the narrative. The author’s attention to detail extends to the societal structures, myths, and rituals, making the world feel cohesive and fully realised.

The protagonist’s journey is compelling, as she navigates the challenges of her newfound powers and the responsibilities they entail. Her growth is intertwined with the world around her, and Dampt does an excellent job of showing how the environment and culture shape her character. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, with each character contributing to the richness of the story and the world they inhabit.

While the novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing readers to fully absorb the intricacies of the world, it never feels sluggish. The plot is driven by a mix of personal discovery, political intrigue, and elemental conflict, keeping the stakes high and the tension palpable. Themes of identity, belonging, and the balance between humanity and nature are explored with nuance, adding depth to the narrative.

In summary, Daughter of Water is a stunning debut that showcases A.S. Dampt’s talent for world-building and storytelling. Fans of epic fantasy and elemental magic will find much to love in this beautifully crafted tale. It’s a book that invites you to dive in and explore its depths, leaving you eager for more from this promising new voice in the genre.

As a previous reviewer had said, I loved the setting for it.
The other Firstborn kinda grew attached to me :)
Apart from that though, It is way too focused on Heidi, and I wish to see more development in character relationships.
Also, the writing is lacking in the "show" aspect, at times and the copy I received has some minor errors in relation to punctuation. Did not detract from the story at all though!
Thank you for the review copy, NetGalley

I loved the setting of this novel. The world-building was incorporated well and throughout the book. It was also written in a way that the reader and the FMC learn about the world at the same time, which I enjoyed following along with. I would have liked to have gotten to know the characters more personally; I feel like I knew about them but I didn't know them as deeply. I was not very attached to them. Gaetan was fairly present in the beginning of the novel and after halfway he was hardly even relevant. The opposite happened with Margot; I didn't really care or know about her in the beginning, but I liked her part in the plot near the end of the book.
The plot was very interesting. The pacing was a little on the slower side at first, but it is understandable as it is going to be a series. I like the dynamics of Sylvie learning about the Firstborns and how to use her magic, while the Firstborns were also trying to fight against the rising enemy in Verdélys. I think the plot needed higher stakes. Even when the conflict occurred, it wasn't very suspenseful. Because of that, the ending was not as climactic as it should have been, although I will still continue to the next book when it is released. However, the actual content of the plot was good and I was enjoying the story a lot. There wasn't much in the novel that was emotionally impactful to me, but it was a fun book to read. I did enjoy it. I am very expectant of the next book in the series. I'd give this book 3.75 stars. I would recommend it, but it's not on my favourites list.

quality rating: 6.5/10
enjoyment rating: 3.75 stars
vulgarity: none
spice: none
violence: very little

The FMC, Heidi, discovers where she comes from and tries to navigate who she has learned she is and how to move forward presently. She ventures on a path to newfound relationships while uncovering truths she had no idea existed. She also discovers that there are groups divided (humans, imps, and Verdélys) and what that means in her current position as well as where she originated from. Learning about the other firstborns as well as the dark magic that ensues was interesting and made for the potential to be a great book. Unfortunately, this fell short for me.

I didn't feel like the character development was done well outside of the FMC. I'm sure there is a lot to discover as this is supposed to be a series; however, I felt no real connection to any of these characters. Not much grabbed my attention and kept a stronghold, and I sadly found myself incredibly bored. I didn't find any real excitement or climax to any part of this story. It was just so bland and lacked any real entertainment. There was no romance or true heroism at all. I just felt that given the amount of pages written in this book, it could have been used to create more excitement and evoke more emotions than it did.