Hell yes, now THAT’S a freaking twist 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Metal Slinger is a damn good time. I really enjoyed the entire experience and totally fell for all of the characters and their world. I totally get the hype, it’s well deserved!!

🗡️ classic romantasy world w/magic and political intrigue
🗡️ sort of enemies to lovers to ????
🗡️ cool world set up w/one of the kingdoms being cut off from land on an island
🗡️ fated bonds called “matches” and a freaking cool way they can communicate with each other through the bond
🗡️ so many twists and reveals and hidden identities!!
🗡️ the romance between our two MCs is super hot and well-developed (only a few short spicy scenes)

With the sneak peek into book 2, Light Weilder, I CANNOT wait to see how all of this craziness plays out after the way book 1 ended!!

If you love a super classic romantasy world with on page spice (but not too much), a great cast of characters, political intrigue and an INSANE twist…read this one ASAP!

Thank you so much to St. Martins Press for the ARC 🫶🏻

The last 10% of this book saved it from being a 3-star read, cause the cliffhanger it left me on had my mouth open and my brain short-circuiting. I wish that momentum could've been throughout the whole book, cause some parts were painfully slow and hard to get through.

Brynn was a refugee, spending her life with the Alaha people training to be a guard. After a tense encounter at a market with an enemy guard, Brynn’s loyalty is tested when her true identity is revealed. She must make a daring adventure to potentially access her magical powers.

I LOVED this book. It was the perfect blend magic, political tension, and high-stakes romance. I loved how action-packed this book was as well, from the opening scene to the cliffhanger conclusion that made me desperate for the sequel. There is a rich fantasy world, but not overly complex in addition to likeable and multi-faceted characters. Banter, chemistry, brewing war, and a woman on a quest to find out where she belongs make this one five stars!

I loved this book! It was addicting and the twsit at the end?! So good! Can't wait for the next book in the series!

It was a fun read, reminiscent of many fantasies I've recently read. I was invested enough to keep going! The end felt odd though. It felt like the book was a lie without enough seeds planted.

I liked this book a lot. It had twists I didn't see coming. The middle had some slow moments but it didn't last long. The ending got me. Can't wait for the next one.

There seems to be quite a bit of editing still needed! Seeing some continuity issues, spelling mistakes, typos etc.

Aside from that, I had a lot of fun reading this sea-faring journey. It felt like a refreshing take on the romantasy genre.

However, I will say that plot twist at the end infuriated me- and I’m still unsure what I think 😂 I suppose I’ll read the sequel when it comes out before I can gather my final thoughts!

Wow, this book was such a ride! From the very first chapter I was hooked, and it only got better as the twists kept coming. The worldbuilding was vivid and immersive, with knife fights, seafaring adventure, and just the right amount of magic woven in. Brynn was such a strong and compelling main character, and I loved watching her question everything she thought she knew. The romance added a perfect spark of tension and kept me invested in every interaction. My only wish was for a little more clarity in some of the politics and magic, but overall this was an incredible romantasy debut that left me desperate for book two.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC.

I'm very interested to see how this plays out. Enjoyable read, I did get a little board when they were on the boat.
I saw a twist coming but it went in the opposite direction than I thought and that was very fun to read.

I was completely hooked with the found family and after the beginning conflict I knew this was going to be an amazing read! The Ahala living out in trees in the ocean was mind bending for me! The journey Brynn and Acker are on was so action packed and the reveals had my jaw dropping!

The love aspect was so good! I absolutely LOVED their relationship and how the bond was described as a tether.

I will say this left me with SO many questions and not enough answers. I was mad at the ending. It absolutely WRECKED me. I read the teaser for book 2 and I NEED to be on that ARC team because the anticipation is KILLING ME!

3.75 stars
I heard so much hype over this book- and let me tell you- the ending did NOT dissappoint. (Except it made me want to go back and read the whole book again to disprove)

However- it took me about a month of picking away at this. Not that it was long- not that it wasn't interesting- but I just wasn't invested. It reminded me a bit of the Everflame series (which- obsessed) but not as good. I enjoyed Brynn & Acker. Obsessed with Messer (honestly- needed more of him). There were times I was confused and needed a map, and more explanation of the politics, magic etc.

A good fantasy- amazing ending, which will make me continue with the series to see where it goes.

I just finished less than an hour ago and I don't even know what to say.

LIKE OH MY GOD. THAT ENDING???

Usually I'm very good at guessing plot twists, but boy this one sure smacked me in the face and gave me a reality check. I am chomping at the bit for book 2!!! How do you just leave me in suspense???

Seriously one of the best romantasy books I've ever read!!!

4.5 ⭐️ - Wow! As someone who recently got into reading fantasy in the last two years I really loved this book.

As a visual person the Instagram/ Pinterest fan art really helped me picture the characters/ scene better.

The reason it wasn’t 5 stars for me was because I feel like the boat scene slowed the book down

I also really enjoyed all the twists and turns this book took. Can’t wait for book #2 in 2026!

I cannot get over how good 95% of this book was - from the very beginning I was hooked but dammit that ending pissed me off.

There’s so many things that are done really well, the romance was sweet and spicy and a delicate thing that grew between the FMC and MMC. I appreciated the journey of growth, of discovery and the obstacles that lay ahead. This book is told in first person so of course I felt confident in what I was reading and the direction it was going in HOWEVER the ending contradicted everything I read. Even the tone was different, so much so that it actually upset me. I will say I was genuinely shocked but it was also refreshing to have this unique turn of events.

Props to this book for making me feel strongly enough to actually get upset, it was written so well and I can’t wait for book 2!

Well, I didn’t see that ending coming! 😵‍💫

This was a solid 5⭐️ shit show.

Ok so moment of truth. Was this book entertaining? 💯 yes! It was fast paced, had an interesting plot and a cast full of animated characters that you instantly feel connected to. The boat scene could have been shorter but it also had its cute moments as well. I think what I love most about this book is that it is one that will have you running to discuss with your book club or reading buddies. I always appreciate when a book is able to stir up a lively conversation immediately after. This book definitely did just that.

Here is where my issues are, at no point did the author foreshadow that ending. It felt like it came out of nowhere because it LITERALLY came out of nowhere. At no point did that character’s monologue ever suggest anything that would lead up to how the book ended. For this being a debut novel I am pretty impressed with it overall BUT I’m not totally convinced that Rachel Schneider will be able to fill all of the plot holes she has left behind in the first book. How she writes the next book (or two) in this series will determine if she makes or breaks it. It could either be an epic romantasy with an insane plot orrrrrrr it could end up being a complete shit show. As of right now, book one was a very entertaining shit show.

Also, that ending… 👋🏼😳. I mean… I wasn’t mad about it. 🤷🏼‍♀️ IYKYK

Thank you, NetGalley, Saturday Books and Rachel Schneider for a e-arc of Metal Slinger. My opinions are my own.

Great romatic fantasy. Excellent start and a world of unraveling in the last few chapters that we would have exploring earlier on.

I went into Metal Slinger without much context, and that turned out to be the perfect way to experience it. The story took me by surprise from the start. Just when I thought I had figured out where it was headed, it veered in a completely unexpected direction, which kept me fully engaged. The pacing of high stakes and risks was spot-on, and the revelations were both satisfying and unexpected.
What really stood out to me was the world-building. The unique powers, the intricate bond & matches —it all felt fresh and exciting. It was a welcome change from what I've read in the same genre. Overall, this book was a thrilling ride that kept me hooked from start to finish.

Thank you Netgalley, Rachel Schneider & Saturday Books for the eARC and the opportunity to read & review this book.

This book is a thrilling mix of fantasy, romance, and adventure. Brynn’s journey from the exiled Alaha to the tense Kenta market is full of tension, magic, and unexpected twists. The enemies-to-lovers story keeps you guessing whether her connection with the enemy soldier will lead to betrayal or something more.

Fans of fantasy romance with strong characters and slow-burning tension will not be disappointed.

Okay, WOW. What an amazing read and start to this duology! I had seen some mixed reviews of this one early on which made me a little hesitant to read it, truthfully, but oh boy I'm glad I dove in!! I found the beginning to be a tadd slow (after that first big scene!) which is the only reason this is 4 stars instead of 5. But after that does it really take off! There are a couple times where the world building is a bit confusing but as with most fantasy books if you just go along with the ride things are explained in due time! Cannot wait to read book 2, wowee. Honestly just blown away by hoe fun and explosive of a read this was! Thanks so much to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC!

Love how the book started in a fast-paced manner, presenting quickly all of the lore. Read the first few chapters and I was already hooked!