The transitions between chapters was a little hard to follow for me, but overall I enjoyed the book. Thank you for the early access to read it!

Took me a while to pull my jaw off the ground. The twist - didn’t see that coming and can’t remember the last time I was that mine blown!
The story was entertaining from chapter 1. GREAT GREAT read but I need book 2 .. now…

I stayed up way too late last night to finish reading about Brynn and Acker. I laughed multiple times, cried a little, and had my heart broken. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do until the next book comes out. The writing is well done. She really pulls you into the story with ease.

I am somewhat new to the romantasy genre and was hoping for nothing but great things with this book. So many people on social media and the book community have been raving about this story. However, I did not find myself to be one of them. The world-building felt very confusing to me and at times overwhelming. I take it that it's simply first book syndrome since we really are laying down the foundation of the world and where our characters fit into it. This was simply an aspect of the story that kept pulling me out and had me cross-referencing facts. The characters I did enjoy, but only until halfway through the book. This is largely due to the stakes elevating in the second half of the plot. This is by no means a "bad book," but I am interested in seeing how the next installment will play out. The romance was definitely sweet and, at times, pretty spicy. I would still recommend this read to any long-standing lovers of the romantasy genre.

First, thank you so much to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for this eARC!

I am…baffled. Though this book started out kind of slow for me (which is why I am giving it 4 instead of 5 and will elaborate later), it ended up absolutely shattering me in the end. To say this book elicited a range of emotions from me is an understatement. Can a person go through the 5 stages of grief over a book? I certainly did.

It’s hard to put into words, but there were moments in this book where it quite literally made my chest physically ache with sadness or anxiety in certain moments and that is very rare for me with books. On the opposite end, the banter between the two main characters had me actually giggling out loud like a mad man. I loved Acker’s and Jovie’s back and forth through the whole story. It was so good and the lingering yearning under it all was amazing! I loved every second of it. The spice was brief, but well placed and not anything too scandalous. It fit the story with its timing and had a good amount of detail to make it steamy! I love both of these characters so much!

The drop of a star is because I found the beginning a bit slow and kind of confusing. It felt like I was dropped into the middle of a story without context and it threw me off a little bit. Obviously, they work through it piece by piece eventually. I literally had to google the book after the first sentence to make sure I didn’t get a bad copy because it starts in the middle of a sentence and I was very lost. It wasn’t an attention grabbing start, more like a big “huh?” until I pushed through and got to the better parts that come after.

The ending had me needing to set my kindle down and take a deep, calming breath. I will not give anything away. I would rather other readers experience it for themselves and experience it they need to. Please read this book. Please let it destroy you the way it did me (in the best way possible!)

5 stars. Laughing, crying, screaming, throwing up, Metal Slinger has me feeling every emotion all at once. But, OMG that ENDING! I've been reading a ton of romantasy recently and kind of bemoaning the fact that they're all starting to feel a bit too similar. Enter Metal Slinger. No one will read this book, with that ending, and think hmmm, yeah I've seen this before. I honestly don't even know how I can be expected to write are review of this book, since I can't stop laughing, crying, screaming, throwing up. I loved Brynn. Loved her. I loved Acker. I loved all the side characters. Loved the action, the romance, the surprises, and literally everything about this book. Before I round up the review, Metal Slinger is as good as something written by SJM or Rebecca Yarros, and doesn't, in any way imaginable, feel derivative. If you like romantasy, do yourself a favor and read this book.

Thank you so much to Schneider, Saturday (St. Martin's Press), and Netgalley for the ARC. There's no way this won't be a top 5 read of the year for me.

This was a fun reading experience to a point but I think the ending sort of ruined it for me.

✔ The world was very interesting and I loved a lot of the ideas behind it, particularly the geography of the world was tied into the politics of the story, though I do think there was a lot of room to potentially lean into worldbuilding more.
✔ I feel like, despite slower moments in the actual action of what was happening, I enjoyed reading the story and sped through.

✖ I have some issues with the progression of the romance after completing the book, particularly in response to my next point.
✖ The twist at the end did not feel well executed - it felt like a deus-ex-machina that was hinted at, but still came out of nowhere. Given the first person perspective and ongoing inner monologue from Brynn, the twist did not feel at all earned or realistic given her feelings and actions up to this point. An unreliable narrator is one thing but hiding an entire subplot worth of Brynn’s actions until the ending to achieve a betrayal did not feel “twisty” or surprising in a good way - it felt like an unnecessary backtrack on the story up to that point to create suspense. Rather than leaving me highly interested in the sequel, I’m primarily just irritated.

2/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Saturday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 Stars – I’m Officially a Metal Slinger Groupie

Holy high seas and heart palpitations—Metal Slinger absolutely slayed! This book had me flipping pages like my Kindle owed me money. Massive thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to devour this swoon-drenched, dagger-sharp debut before the rest of the world catches up (which they will, and when they do, I’ll be over here smugly re-reading my favorite scenes).

Rachel Schneider has burst onto the romantasy scene with the force of a tidal wave and the finesse of a knife to the ribs—in the best way. Metal Slinger has it all: a fierce and morally-tangled heroine (Brynn, I’d follow you into any battle), a smoldering enemy soldier with secrets and swagger for days, political intrigue, ancient magic, and enough tension to power a small city. Oh, and did I mention the knife fights? Deliciously choreographed. Chef’s kiss.

Brynn’s identity crisis is as compelling as her combat skills. Watching her wrestle with loyalty, legacy, and long-suppressed truth made for such a rich emotional core to this action-packed adventure. Her connection with the mysterious soldier (no spoilers, but swoon alert) had me clutching my metaphorical pearls—and maybe shouting “JUST KISS ALREADY” into the void.

The seafaring scenes were cinematic, the stakes were sky-high, and the bonus content from Light Wielder? I am not okay. I need that sequel like yesterday.

If you’re a fan of high-stakes romance, elemental magic, dangerous flirtations, and heroines who make their own fate—welcome aboard. Metal Slinger is your new obsession. And yes, the silver foiling is as pretty as the prose is sharp.

I’m marking my calendar, hoarding tissues and snacks, and preparing my heart for Light Wielder. Let the countdown begin.

🌟🌟🌟A Fiery Debut with Sizzling Chemistry and Shocking Twists!🔥⚔️💘

Rachel Schneider’s Metal Slinger is a romantic fantasy that had me flipping pages late into the night, completely hooked by its original worldbuilding, fierce heroine, and a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance that simmers with tension. While it’s not without a few stumbles, this debut delivers exactly what romantasy fans crave: a bold new world, strong emotional arcs, and characters you can’t help but fall for.

We’re thrown into a divided world—literally. The Alaha, who live on water, and the land-dwelling Kenta have maintained a fragile peace for over a century. But when Brynn, a young Alaha guard with a strong moral compass and even stronger will, finds herself captured on enemy territory, everything unravels. Brynn is smart, determined, and refreshingly imperfect, making her an engaging protagonist you want to root for even when things get messy. Her relationship with Acker, the brooding Kenta commander with secrets of his own, starts as tense and distrustful. But layer by layer, that tension turns into something magnetic. 😳🔥 The forced proximity trope is used to perfection here—not rushed, not overly tropey, just the right amount of mutual frustration turning into fiery chemistry. And oh, the banter? Chef’s kiss. 👏

One of the biggest strengths of Metal Slinger is its unique elemental magic system and the underlying mystery surrounding it. There’s a rich history hinted at in every corner, and as the truth begins to unravel, so does the reader’s understanding of just how deep the betrayals run. The twists are sharp—I won’t spoil them—but let’s just say: by the time you hit that ending, you’ll be yelling “WHAT?!” at the page. 😱⛓️ That cliffhanger is brutal, but in the best way.

Now, I won’t pretend it’s flawless. The middle portion of the book loses a bit of its initial momentum, and a few worldbuilding elements could’ve used more fleshing out. Some readers might also find Brynn a bit reactive in moments where you'd want her to take charge. But those are small trade-offs for a debut that is otherwise rich with heart, heat, and high stakes.

If you're a fan of Fourth Wing, The Bridge Kingdom, or From Blood and Ash, then Metal Slinger belongs on your shelf—ASAP. 📚💀⚡ Schneider has set the stage for something truly epic, and I, for one, am strapped in for book two.

Final verdict: 4 stars — a stellar start with all the makings of a must-read romantasy series. 💫

3.5/5

I can definitely see why there's hype around this book, but for me, I mainly see the hype for the potential of this series. I can see some really cool things happening when this world opens up and we get more information and drama.

From a first book in a fantasy series, I would've preferred more oomph, but I can totally see how this world and story can expand.

Forced proximity, fun banter, easy to read writing (it zooms by), pretty good and consistently paced, an evil king and a complicated heir situation, and a rebellion.

There were a few details that I was confused about because they were kind of inconsistent throughout the book. I don't know if that's something that will be changed when the final book is released or if that was accidentally done on purpose (ya know what I mean?).

I do definitely think that I will be reading the sequel! I really want to see how some of these things are resolved and how the world opens up. I think that's what this story really needs.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

The betrayal. That was a twist I did not see coming!! The world building is amazing and characters are *chefs kiss*!!! 10/10 recommend you torture yourself with this book and ending!! And the TENSION UGHHH

I love this book! The pacing was immaculate, the characters were great and it kept me hooked from start to finish! Cannot wait for book 2!

The first chapter opened with a bang. It started off strong like the winds of a tornado, and ended with the winds of a hurricane. I started this book on Saturday afternoon and finished it this Sunday morning. I could not stop. The storyline flowed very well , I did not want to stop. Brynn and Acker had chemistry from the jump. It warmed up and then took off running. There were turns in the plot I NEVER saw coming. And towards the end I let out a "HOLY CANNOLI" I was flabbergasted. The last 3 pages made me cry, because why would you end a book like that 😭 I cannot wait for book 2!

This book was so fast paced and I loved it! The only thing is that the ending slightly ruined my view of the story as it took back a lot of what happened. Maybe that opinion will change, however, when the next book comes out. Overall, I think Schneider’s writing was great and cannot wait for the sequel to come out!

Wow! What an amazing story, that ending?! I cannot wait to read-read when the audiobook comes out! This book was DEVOURED, I didn’t want to put it down. This is what romantasy is all about, thank you Rachel! Need book 2 asap :)

It was going so well, and then as the story progressed things just got worse and worse. I almost DNF’d with 3% left.

The story follows Brynn/Jovie the lost princess of a land kingdom who was stolen from her kingdom at a young age and held in another under secret. One day a mysterious very attractive man comes to rescue her. There is magic and war and secrets, and frankly a lot of things that don’t make sense.

I received this book as an arc, but I believe I read the indie published edition rather than a true arc for the traditionally published edition, or at least I hope.

There were several grammatical, formatting, and continuity issues. I hope what I read hasn’t visited the editor yet, and not an actuate representation of the finished product, because I would be so disappointed.

The plot is great! The characters are likable. The pacing is good. The popular tropes are all there. The twist has potential of being amazing. It’s all so close to being a masterpiece but it just needs a little work.

Now the thing that almost made me DNF at 3%, a poorly done unreliable narrator… the worst thing imaginable. I can handle the shallow interactions, the incorrect order of information, and the seemingly misplaced emotions, but I cannot forgive the unreliable narrator who is lying to the reader and intern themselves. Either the internal monologue of the main character needs to be rewritten, or the story needs to change to 3rd person. It was not a twist at that point, but completely infuriating nonsense.

With proper editing, I would recommend this book. Without it, I’m not too sure.

This book is an adult romantic fantasy, and does contain spice.

Do yourself a favor and go in completely blind. Come back and read this review when you have read the last chapter.
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Okay. WHAT WAS THAT?!? Are you kidding me. I’m literally speechless. What do you mean. God this book was so good. The world and magic was absolutely amazing and so fun to read. I’ve been stuck in a book slump since Onyx storm, and from the first few pages I was immediately hooked (which is rare for me). Messer is hilarious. Kai is .. Kai. And honestly. If you line fantasy romance with the perfect amount of spice. Just read it.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC of this title.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great found family, forced proximity, magical fantasy. My jaw is still on the floor from the ending! I can’t wait for another book in this series! Solid 4 stars!

This book left me REELING!! It was the first book in a long time I finished and was like... wait, what??

Right from the first chapter, I was hooked. Brynn is part of the Alaha - a sea-bound people forced into exile - and she finally gets a chance to go to this annual market hosted by the Kenta, the same group that kicked her people out in the first place. Let’s just say things do not go smoothly. She ends up breaking a super fragile peace treaty without even trying, and chaos follows.

The tension between Brynn and Acker (a Kenta soldier) is chef’s kiss. It’s a slow burn and packed with banter, little moments, and just enough angst and longing to keep you turning the pages. The world-building is easy and not overwhelming - no info dumps, no confusing maps needed, just vibes and good writing.

And that plot twist at the end? Genuinely did not see it coming. I usually catch these things early, but this one hit me like a truck! It made me want to go back and re-read just to see what clues I missed. That kind of twist is SO rare. So good.

There’s a bit of a slower section in the middle, but honestly, I didn’t mind. It gave the characters room to breathe and made the ending hit even harder. I was fully invested in Brynn by that point, and I needed to know how things would play out.

All in all, this book was a banger. Great pacing, solid characters, slow-burn romance, and a twist that’ll leave you reeling. I'm absolutely picking up book 2 to find out how everything resolves!!

This book was a bit too underdeveloped for me. There were so many errors and poorly written sentences structures that I kept getting taken out of the story. The story would jump from one moment to a few hours or several days a head and the transition between time were clunky. There were holes to the story and events that didn’t make a whole lot of logical sense. The biggest being the twist at the end. At one point while reading I thought “what if xy and z happened” but I quickly pushed the idea aside and told myself “it wouldn’t make sense since it’s told in 1st person. This would make the narrator a liar even to herself.” But, lo and behold, I get to the end of the book and my weak prediction happens. The twist makes no sense when the story is told in 1st person. I hope the second book will be thoroughly edited and flushed out before it’s released. I did like the promise, but the execution just wasn’t there. I will probably try to give the second book a chance since she signed with a publisher and hopefully has an editing team backing her now that will help her though several rewrites.