“She has beautiful eyes. They’re brown and green and amber, like every color of every season. I’ve looked everywhere for eyes like hers, and nothing has ever been able to compare.” 💙

I don’t even know where to begin with this review. No ending to a book has ever shocked me more than the ending of Metal Slinger. It’s been a couple of days since I finished reading it and I’m still reeling. I had to reread the last few chapters again to make sure I was actually comprehending what was happening. I still can’t believe it.

Aside from the ending, I enjoyed the scenes that took place at sea because I love the ocean. It was refreshing to read a story that has a good chunk of it take place at sea because majority of the books I have read have not taken place on a boat.

Not only did I love the two main characters, but I also loved a lot of the supporting characters in this one. Messer is definitely my favorite supporting character, and I hope we get to see more of him in the next book, which by the way I need ASAP!!!!!!

If you love enemies to lovers, fated mates, only one bed, forced proximity, and he falls first, then I highly recommend you read this one. And be prepared to be shocked!

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press/Saturday Books for an advanced copy! Metal Slinger releases on June 17 in paperback and February 3, 2026 in hardcover, but it is available to read right now in ebook format! ♥️

I haven’t felt this consumed by a book in a long time. When I wasn’t reading Metal Slinger, I was thinking of it. When I wasn’t thinking of it, I was DREAMING of it.

The pacing was phenomenal and the world building gave you just enough information, without it feeling info-dumpy.

I feel deeply, head over heels, in love with a certain Metal Slinger. 💖

Now, you’re probably wondering why after being so obsessed with this book I’m only giving it 4 stars.

It came down to the plot twist. Don’t get me wrong, I loooooove a good plot twist. Without giving too much away, this one left me feeling unsettled. I might feel differently after a re-read, but right now it just felt like it was thrown in to keep you guessing.

Super excited to read Rachel’s next installment in this series. ❤️‍🔥

This book reminded me of why I love the Romantasy genre so much. Who needs sleep when you're being whisked off into such a captivating story-- I devoured this book in a day and that ending has stuck with me since then!

✨Enemies to Lovers
🪄Elemental Magic
❤️‍🔥Slow Burn
💕Fated Mates (Matches)
😍Tension & Witty Banter

This is a new to me author and personally I really enjoyed her writing style, can't wait for book two in this series and I'll definitely be checking out all future releases!

Thank you Rachel Schneider, Net Galley and St. Martin's Press| Saturday Books for providing me with an ARC of this book! All opinions in this review are my own.

⭐️⭐️ | Not for me—but you might feel differently 😬

Okay, I’ll be honest—I really wanted to like Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider. The premise? So cool. Metal-manipulation magic, a gritty fantasy world, and the promise of high-stakes action? I was ready. But unfortunately, the execution didn’t quite live up to the potential for me.

Between the odd pacing (why were we at sea for SO long?), the lack of foreshadowing, and characters that didn’t really tug at my heartstrings, this one just didn’t hit. And I still don’t know what was up with the phrase “Dang Rabbits”… it pulled me out of the world every time.

I get into:
💥 The plot points that confused me
🐇 The infamous “Dang Rabbits”
🚫 Why the romance didn’t work (for me)
🌊 And yes—the long, long sea voyage

That twist though!! This was a unique romantasy. I loved the characters, plot, and atmosphere. That twist really put it over the top for me though. I can’t wait for book 2!

I see why this one became such a hit!

While the beginning started off pretty slow, once it got moving, I really enjoyed this read. I sometimes find traveling journeys tedious and repetitive, but this one moved along nicely. I would definitely recommend the read for fans of the genre!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

The way this book consumed me! Was giving me a little bit of Water World vibes in the beginning (forgive me it’s been over 20 years since I’ve seen the movie, but it was kind of my first thought)

And I really loved it! I was reading on my lunch breaks, and one handed while making dinner. It was just so intriguing, and so fast paced that it kept my interest the entire time! And I cant wait for the next book!

Brynn has lived her life believing she is Brynn from Alaha, she has eaten, slept, trained and fought as an Alaha. Until, a visit to the market where she meets a mysterious strange enemy man. (Uh hello sign me up)

I was thrilled how strong and powerful this FMC was, she was brave, strong and kind. And the MMC, I am swooning. He was mysterious, dangerous and the mouth on him?! Eating it up!

When this enemy shows up at her land, he threatens to unravel everything she has believed in. And when they leave Alaha, she begins to question everything she
knows about where she comes from and who she is.

Thank you St. Martin’s and NetGalley for this ARC

This book got picked up traditionally and I got sent an ARC of it for the republishing.

I absolutely LOVED this book. Everything I hated was resolved by the absolutely CRAZIEST ending ever.

This book had a great balance of magic, politics, manipulation, and rage.

This book follows Jovie/Brynn - a lost princess from a nation at war. She leaves everything she’s ever known and loved for her previous life she’s never known. One of court politics and war and a fated match.

(Very vague spoilers depending what you consider a spoiler) The end takes everything you think you know, and everything I was frustrated with (being manipulated by stupid men) and turns it all the way around, maybe creating one of my favorite characters of all time. I kind of want to reread it to see why I missed the end!!! It takes a lot to surprise me that much.

Thinking back there are a few subtle moments perfectly woven into book to make end believable (her watching acker with his dad and the interactions with beau).

Thank you so much for sending this book, I will be recommending it to my fantasy and romantasy queens.

I definitely get the hype now!! This has to be my top read so far this month! The plot, the characters, the plot twists & that ending that left me legit speechless was absolutely perfection 🤌🏻🤌🏻 This one definitely had me hooked and needing book two like now 🫠

I love seeing indie books getting traditionally published!!! I am waiting with bated breath for book two!!!

This was really well done! I am newer to Romantasy and found myself really immersed in the world, the characters and loved the entire new world.

WHAAATT!?!?!?! No fricken way!!!! Okay…one of the best books I’ve read this year, hands down. It starts off a little slow and lags in a few places, but this new debut Romantasy will literally steal your breath with all the twists and turns….and that cliffhanger?!? I’m so mad right now. I need book 2…

This was such a good easy to consume romantasy book. I definitely recommend to anyone in search of something to cure their ACOTAR or fourth wing hangover!! Really enjoyed the characters & the ending was absolutely WILD!! The sexual tension between the MCs was also delicious.

I do wish some plot lines were played out for a bit longer or woven into the story a bit more, but overall I really loved this read!!

Love the updated version!!

Thank you so much to the publisher for the eARC!

Metal Slinger is an indie book that blew up on Instagram and is now getting traditionally published.

This book started out really strong. I really enjoyed the world building and the friendships between the characters. About half way through I felt like the plot was getting rushed and we were skimming over details that would have made this a more compelling read. New characters were introduced that never really felt fleshed out and I genuinely didn’t care about some of them. The plot quickly became convoluted at this point as well with a bunch of smaller sub plots (including a romance I did not enjoy). I honestly think this book could have been two (or even three) books on its own. I really like the overarching plot and characters but we need much more time with both for it to feel really worth it in the end.

I see what people like about it and surface level it’s a great book. It simply unravels when you think about it too hard. I enjoyed the characters and plot enough that I wanted more but ended up not getting it. That being said if a lot more detail goes into the sequel it could save the series for me.

My biggest complaint with this book is the ending. Without spoiling anything there is a twist revealed that completely reframes the book in my opinion, something not uncommon in a book like this one. However, it completely lacked foreshadowing. It was definitely shocking but not in a good “I should have seen that coming kind of way”. The ended felt pulled from other book that, in my opinion, did it better. Lots of moving pieces went into making the ended happen and none of them were explained or made sense in light of the rest of the book.

Foreshadowing throughout the book would have made this ending much stronger instead of leaving the reader completely blindsided.

Am I mad I read this book? No

Would I recommend it? If you’re looking for a quick read with a lot of action - sure. Otherwise probably not.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My new whole life obbsession, Metal Slinger by @rachelschneiderauthor

ROMANTASY GIRLIES. STOP. AND LISTEN. ✨️

Did you just finish Onyx Storm? Did you just finish Iron and Embers? Did you just finish Quicksilver ? Are you looking for your next book boyfriend. If you answered yes to any of these questions (or no tbh)

Look no more.

THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING

✨️Fated mates
✨️Unique magic system
✨️Forced Proximity (at sea)
✨️So many blades to throat
✨️DAIN VIBES MALE WHO I WILL NOT NAME
✨️Incredible found family
✨️Female bad-assery
✨️Forgotten Princess
✨️Touch her and die
✨️One Bed
✨️SO MUCH BETRAYAL

The romance is top tier, the story is interesting and unique, fantastic worldbuilding, just the perfect amount of spice…. And a scene involving a meeting and a scotch glass that is engrained in my memory forever.

The MMC has a nose ring, and honestly I was committed from then on. He is possessive and a bit unhinged, but we like that don’t we? He may be one of my top book boyfriends EVER.👀🖤

Honestly, the ending had me so bamboozled. You know when you read SO MUCH romantasy that nothing surprises you? Well fck me apparently. WHEN I SAY THE THE TWIST OF ALL TWISTS, I can't cope honestly.

HOLY COW. I LOVED THIS BOOK. ALL THE STARS.

I was completely swept away and devoured it in less than 24 hours.

Unique and adventurous and absolutely full of delicious tension.

There was a twist toward the end that I never saw coming. I had to scrape my jaw from the floor after the ending!! 😱🤯

I’m gonna need book 2 like now though thanks 🤣

Thank you to St Martins Press for the advance re-release copy.

What the heck can I say about this. I was hooked. The world building from the beginning was lovely. I was all over the place with the lead and who she was into and I was drug along and whipped around and I cannot wait for some serious answers in book 2. My favorite character might be the one no one wants to end with the main fmc BUT I DO. MESSER STAN FOR LIFE. Rachel was a sweetie when I messaged her on Instagram and the ending had me standing to my feet and going HOLY CRAP. A true mind f***. In the best way. I'm still thinking about it all these hours later. So definitely definitely definitely pick this up