All of the thoughts and predictions I had as I read this book just went out the window. I feel incredibly stunned, confused, betrayed, and slightly ill considering THAT ENDING happened to fictional characters and not to me.

Seriously though, I could not put Metal Slinger down! Everything completely hooked me from the start - the characters, the pacing of the plot, the magic, THE TWISTS. Rachel Schneider wrote one of the best plot twists I’ve ever read. ♾️/5⭐️ Just WOW.
Soooo…when is book 2, and who is going to pay for my therapy?! 😅😭

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
Okay, amazing story, beautifully written. I was captivated from the beginning and couldn’t stop thinking about it.

The ending though… PHEW. The complexity of the ending makes it challenging to write a detailed review for reasons that I also can’t disclose without spoilers because I’m not that talented.

But the unique way in which Rachel writes the dual POV stands out as one of a kind, even in the romanrasy world, in my book.

I can truly say that I won’t be able to stop thinking about this until I get answers.

Read this ASAP.
10/5 stars from me.

“If you asked me for my life, I’m pretty sure I’d hand it over on a gold platter.”

I quite enjoyed this one!! Ends on a bit of a cliffhanger but overall good world building! I think the story is set up well to demonstrate the ongoing conflict and motivation for change and our FMC is definitely entertaining. There are lots of surprises throughout and it was enjoyable to feel like a detective seeking out clues for what was not as it seemed! I enjoyed the magic system, there are definitely some unique elements surrounding types of magic, types of bonds, and even ways to remove someone's magic entirely.
Excited to continue this story and uncover more secrets!!

WOW just wow. This book gave me the biggest mind blow moment and i loved every single moment of it. I love Brynn so much and the amount of giggling and gasping that was audibly done throughout reading had everyone around me wanting to read the book as well . I cannot wait for the second book to come out because im salivating and feral just waiting for it. Thanks so much for the advanced reader copy.

4.5 Stars because I binged it in one day! Wow!

This enemies-to-lovers romantasy is super easy to get into. The world is divided into two groups, one that lives on land and one that lives at sea. I don't want to share a lot of information because I think its better to go into this one blind and let the story unfold for you.

I loved the main characters along with a fun group of side characters.

I need more people to read this because the plot twist at the end still has me in a whiplash, and I need to be able to talk about it! Haha!

What you'll find:
Elemental magic
Political corruption
A sea voyage
A bird

“I looked for you. In every market and podunk town, in every corner of every land, I searched each face for yours.”

Please tell me when book 2 will be out!

Romance content: 2-3 Open-door scenes and language

Closed door modification: ch. 51, 52, and one paragraph in ch. 53

I love unreliable narrators, however I felt the reveal of this one made me feel cheated because it wasn’t unreliable, just straight up left out information.

Who do I send my bill to? Because my jaw LITERALLY hit the floor so hard at that ending & I need a DOCTOR. 😭 This book was EVERYTHING I needed—a fast-paced, wildly entertaining, a I-can’t-put-this-down kind of read.

The world-building is easy to digest without being vague. The world is divided between water dwellers and land dwellers, who’ve lived in peace for centuries… until that harmony is shattered in the very first chapters.

When Brynn finds herself face-to-face with a mysterious (and very attractive) enemy soldier who almost CHOPS HER HAND OFF, her entire world unravels. Secrets are revealed, loyalties are tested, and she’s thrown into a rebellion.

Most chapters left me kicking my feet AND straight-up screaming. Do I need to bring up the ENDING again? The craziest emotional rollercoaster—completely insane in the best way possible.

this was such a captivating and unique read from all the other romantasy books i’ve picked up!

from page one I was CONSUMED. the world building was so clear and concise without being too revealing. the characters were instantly personable and lovable. the fmc was a delight and the whole aspect of her training had me in a vice like grip.

this story is about a girl named Brynn who lives on a floating city on the sea with her people the alaha. her and her closest friends stick together when there are rumors of a rebellion with the people of kenta, a land based civilization responsible for their seaside isolation. when market day takes a terrible turn, Brynn is faced with an impossible decision. leave everything she knows and join a kenta soldier who promises her the truth or stay with the people who took her in, raised her, but are apparently lying to her.

THIS MFING BOOK.

i was sucked in like a swirling black hole. i fell in love with all the characters and the world building and the story..

and yes you’ve heard it before…BUT THAT ENDING SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE AND BROKE MY JAW

do it again please I cannot wait for book 2

words cannot explain the amount of emotional damage i feel after finishing this book. this has got to be the worst betrayal of a plot twist i have ever experienced next to the red wedding in game of thrones when you watch the starks get butchered…. why did no one warn me? everyone says how amazing this book is i can tell you now it’s absolutely worth the hype.

the book starts off very strong and there will be a point where you feel like not much is happening but JUST wait, power through and i promise you it will be worth it in the end. there is so much action, character building, magic, mystical beings and betrayal coming out on the other side.

all my favorite book tropes in fantasy books wrapped all into one, enemies to lovers, found family, fated mates, political corruption and “there’s only one horse” and then it ends with a cliff hanger that will make you question your sense of judgement? what an amazing read but i will need a few days to recover from this.

4.5 ⭐️
When I tell you I completely devoured this book I mean it. THE ENDING HAS ME FLOORED. The banter between all characters was amazing. The character development was fun. The history I adored. The twists had me dying. The relationships were beautiful. The betrayal and all the things are killing me inside. Honestly one of my favorite characters was Messer. Love him.

Only complaints. Did much happen in terms of plot? No not really but it kept you hooked. And then the ending it kind of felt like they threw in the plot twist just to have a major twist I was so floored and thrown by it so maybe that was the goal but I felt like they pulled facts from nothing to prove it was plausible. But I’m betting that it will flow perfectly into the next book!


Still reeling.

Thanks so much to St. Martins Press & Saturdays Books for the gifted ARC ❤️ excited to see where this series goes!!

This was such a good, unique and interesting romantacy. I’m not sure how to describe the book without giving so much away. Of course there is an enemies to lovers plot because it’s a fantasy and there’s cool magic. The world is vividly described but there is still so much to learn. Oh and plot twists galore! Of the new fantasy series I kept hearing about - this one lived up to the hype for me.
Hoping book 2 comes out sooner rather than later, but there’s no estimated pub date yet. 4.25 rounded down.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this copy!

This book was such a wild ride. Rachelle has such a way with words and the fact that she was able to build such an immersive world with only one book I feel like speaks volumes to how talented she really is. The plot twist I never saw coming at all and truly I think about it almost every day since I’ve read it. I am so so excited to see what she comes up with with the next book. The MMC in this book is amazing and I love him so much, the banter between him and FMC is just everything to me!!

OK at first I was on the fence between a two star and a four star review lol. On one hand, I have passionate feelings about the end, so I feel maybe four stars out of respect. But, to be honest, I wanted to DNF a few times. The banter and the character relationships is what I hung onto. I feel like this really lacked Worldbuilding in my opinion and I also feel like some of the plot was too predictable. I’m on the fence about that last twist, but I don’t feel like I like it. It was first person in the entire book, like why gaslight even the reader? Maybe if we had the flashback sooner I would like it better? I don’t know lol. Get back to me in a few months.

Update: I did go back over my notes and I am seeing some foreshadowing. Like my notes on page 51 and page 80. So I hope we get a better flashback next book. And I feel like I’ll give it three stars. I see the vision. I don’t love it, but I respect it.

Ms. Schneider has a new fan. Who? Me. This book defied gravity, it gave, it delivered, it was THE MOMENT!

I always go in blind with books, its honestly how I seem to enjoy them the most. I only need a general genre or idea (or a 15 second tiktok thirst trap) to be tempted to read a book. In this case, I had all of them and decided to not put it off.

I'm trying to understand if I am naive/stupid because there was NO WAY I would ever figure out that plot-twist at the end. I can't think right now. I am in shambles, I am shaking for the next one. I need it tomorrow.

Ending aside, this was such a good romantasy book. The elements, the not unique but at the same time unique story line (it reminds me a little bit of The Bridge Kingdom) the way the worlds are built and the people are distributed. It's super easy to digest, it has memorable and funny characters and great banter, longing and new relationships.

Didn't reach a 5 star for me just because I felt like in the middle the pacing slowed down, however the ending really made up and set the tone for the next book.

Tropes:
- Reluctant Allies to Lovers to ?
- forced proximity
- slow burn
- he falls first
- elemental magic
- touch her and die
- plot twists!!!!

I was ready to give this 3 stars until I got to the final two chapters when the twist came in. What a reach.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

“I will sleep wherever you want me to. Whether it’s on the floor or in the dirt or in your bed, I’ll be there if you want me.”

I went into this one blind and HIGHLY recommend it! I mean it, stop reading if you want to be surprised.

The Alaha and Kenta people are enemies, the Alaha forced to live on the water. One day a year the Alaha guards are able to attend a Kenta market. Brynn is thrown headfirst into her questions and a new adventure when a stranger with a nagging familiarity shows up at the market. With rumors of rebellion on the rise Brynn must face her questions and her past.

I’m not over that ending. I absolutely devoured the first half and then did feel like it slowed down a good amount in the middle and then was infuriated by the ending haha. But it’s worth it, please read it. I’m so intrigued about the politics of this world and can’t wait to read more. And I especially loved the tension between Brynn and her love interest ;)

The worldbuilding in Metal Slinger was so cool, and very unique, especially in regards to Alaha. I've never read anything quite like it, and it hooked me. The romance was delicious, the stakes and description of pain were great. I was begging for Brynn to catch a break, and she never did tbh. The twist at the end shocked me completely and, believe me, I love love love an unreliable narrator.

The ending was a little messy, the pacing was off, and the book as a whole needed a heavier editing hand. Despite this, it was an excellent read, and I need book two to be published expeditiously because that cliffhanger hurt my tummy. I can’t wait to read more by Rachel Schneider in the future.

I'd recommend to fans of interesting worldbuilding, unique magic systems, trauma bonding, and absolutely insane twists.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Saturday Books, and Rachel Schneider for the advanced reader's copy provided in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Four stars for vibes! I enjoyed picking my Kindle up every time I read this book. There were twists, magic, romance and a unique setting.

I enjoyed the characters, especially Brynn. I didn't know who to trust throughout the book, but we met a lot of side characters and they added so much to the story. The magic system was also fun to read about, even though I had some questions about it. Hopefully book two will answer them!

My expectations for the twist at the end were HIGH because I've heard a lot of people talking about it. I'm not sure if that changed my reading experience in a good or bad way. I would advise to go in with no expectations and don't even read the blurb.

Check it out if you like:
Moana vibes
Open door spice
Unique settings
Adventures to different lands
Twists

It wasn't perfect, but I loved so much about it and I had a great time! I can't wait for book two!

I thought this book was such a fun and exciting read. I loved getting to know the characters and even though it's been a while since I read it, it lives in my head.

The worldbuilding was incredible.

One of the best endings I've ever read. And an interesting and captivating story to get there. It's best to go in blind and trust me, you'll love it and crave it when it's over. A must read for romantasy fans.

I loved so much about this book!
4.5*
The setting/ the world sucked me in immediately and it felt so different from anything I had read before.
There were a lot of “twists” that I picked up on and guessed, but the ending definitely shocked me. I don’t know how I feel about it honestly… I took off half a star because I feel like it kinda came out of nowhere solely for shock purposes. However, I can’t wait to continue on with the series and see how it plays out!!