4.5 Stars

Brynn's people, the Alaha, have been exiled to live on the sea by the Kenta, but Brynn has always wanted to visit the annual market they host. As a guard in training, she finally gets her chance but an encounter with a Kenta soldier changes everything. After returning home, there's the possibility that a century-long peace treaty has been jeopardized by the events at the market. When a visitor arrives and is imprisoned, Brynn learns of hidden magic and the whisperers of returning war. Now she's caught between the allure of the soldier she met in Kenta and the loyalty and love of her best friend, Kai.

Metal Slinger started off exactly as the kind of fantasy read that I love, and then I was completely shocked by the last two chapters of the book!! I don't want to give much away, so I will keep this more of a generalized review, so I don't spoil too many of the details. The book drew me in with some of my favorite tropes...elemental magic, fated mates (in this case matching bond), hidden identities/secrets, forced proximity, and political agendas.

As I finished the book I was definitely impressed with the complexity of Brynn's character. I also thought her relationship with Acker worked really well, and felt like they had some great moments of swoony banter. Acker brings the perfect MMC vibes to the story and I can't resist a he falls first storyline. There are also some interesting side characters, and I found Beau to be one of the more well-written, but I'm hoping to see some of the others more fleshed out in the next book.

I really enjoyed the overall storyline and arc for Brynn's character, and the way Schneider wrapped up the end of the book with that cliffhanger was one I didn't see coming!! I can understand that it might not work for some readers, but I absolutely LOVED it!! One of my big problems with fantasy books is that most of the time you get the same old same old, and Schneider definitely doesn't do that in this book. I really appreciated the fact that she did something different and completely derailed my expectations.

I did feel like there were some pacing issues that made some parts of the story feel rushed, and the change from one chapter or event to the next, sometimes made me feel like I missed something. I also felt like the book could have benefited from dual POVs, with chapters from Acker, especially with the reveal of the twist at the end of the book.

I really like the way Schneider set up this first book in the series, by giving the reader some really juicy storyline, but also leaving you with a lot of questions and room to continue world building and character motives. If you love easy to read fantasy with complicated relationships, magic wielders, betrayal and secrets, and unexpected cliffhangers, then I would highly recommend Metal Slinger.

My jaw DROPPED!
This book is incredibly entertaining and the plot twist!!! OMG
Metal slinger is like the adult version of Prison Healer - take that as you will
I feel like everything happened and nothing happened at once, but Rachel Schneider had me sat.
the pacing is a little interesting, time will pass but you won’t know the exact amount - just that it is a number of days later
Also I looked up a fanart of Alaha AND ITS SUCH A COOL CONCEPT I love it. I think that’s what really got me into it at first and then I became more attached to our characters about a 100 pages in.

This has a jaw dropping twist you do not see coming. Honestly, I can’t even tell if there were any clues to the twist and I wish that existed.

I have this title shared on my Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/p/DIUhNcmB8gZ/?igsh=MWlmYXJ3eWljNXltbw==

Metal Slinger is officially being traditionally published — and how incredible is that?! A book this powerful, clever, and unforgettable absolutely deserves a place on every shelf. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A flawless 5-star read that completely swept me away. Metal Slinger is a fast-paced, diabolically clever romantasy that delivers the perfect blend of epic fantasy, sizzling romance, and pulse-pounding action. Expect knife fights, elemental magic, seafaring adventure, twists that will leave you reeling, and a slow-burn romance that will set your heart on fire. I’m still recovering… and already desperate for more.

Rachel has crafted a world that is both richly imaginative and meticulously built. The politics are intricate without ever feeling dense, the elemental magic is vivid and powerful, and the seafaring elements add an adventurous edge that hooked me from page one. It’s the kind of immersive world-building that feels effortless — you fall into it and never want to climb back out.

The characters are brilliantly developed, with layered personalities and dynamics that spark in every interaction. Their relationships — romantic, platonic, and adversarial — are all beautifully crafted and believable. I especially loved the push-and-pull tension between the main characters, a slow-burn romance with enough chemistry to practically ignite the pages. Every duel, every secret, every glance is packed with meaning.

And the plot… oh, the plot. Fast-paced, intense, and absolutely packed with twists and turns that left me breathless. Rachel is a mastermind when it comes to foreshadowing — planting seeds that bloom spectacularly just when you least expect them. The ending left me sitting straight up in bed, audibly gasping and startling my husband (yes, it was that serious). It was the kind of twist that felt shocking but perfectly earned, pulling together threads I didn’t even realize I’d been holding onto.

Metal Slinger is a perfect storm of smart storytelling, rich world-building, and characters that will haunt you long after the last page. If you’re a reader who craves morally grey characters, knife-sharp action, elemental magic, slow-burn romance, and plot twists galore — this book is an absolute must-read. Rachel has me counting the days until the next installment.

So good. Going to be a top fantasy summer read. Will be talked about all over social media and something people are not going to be able to put down.

5 star read!!!! Loved the magic system and the plot twist at the end-so happy this is getting trad. published!

That twist at the end....my jaw was on the floor I fear.

This is a previously independently published book being picked up for traditional publishing. I start off on that note because there are some significant errors in the ARC that really need to be addressed before the publish date in June. As just one example, the main character mentions the names of people that she doesn't meet for the first time until after she mentions them (which makes no sense!)

Brynn is our main character, and she's a member of the Alaha, a group of people who have been exiled and forced to live at sea. She's an outsider among them, training to be a guard, but is close friends with the son of the leader of the Alaha. The Alaha, although exiled, trade with the landed kingdoms, and the book begins with Brynn traveling to one of these markets in the Kenta kingdom for the first time. While there, she is accused of being a thief by a strange man, which leads to conflict between the Alaha and soldiers of the Kenta and risking the fragile peace that has existed between these groups for years. The strange man, Acker (sorry I just can't take that name seriously I truly wish he had like almost any other name), follows Brynn to the Alaha's location and tells her that she's not actually a member of the Alaha, but a princess of the Maile kingdom and was kidnapped by the Alaha. She helps Acker escape and adventures ensue as Brynn attempts to return to her homeland. Acker and Brynn were childhood friends and possibly more...but there are secrets held by all of the characters and a brewing conflict between the various kingdoms as they fight for land and power, with Brynn caught in the middle.

The twist tore me up like I can't believe that I really think I'm going to have to read the second book just to see how this goes. There were some moments where Acker kind of gave me the ick which is unfortunate since he is the love interest and it's like girl I have to say she kind of has more chemistry with her friend Messer but it is what it is. Acker is giving a men's rights vibe that I just don't appreciate. Free Brynn! FREE HER! You love her but you don't know her at all I'll say it!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I picked up this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect and now that I’ve finished it, I cannot wait for the sequel. This book felt so unique to me and had an amazing cast of characters. The romance was so fun and a lot of the twists surprised me. While the ending initially felt abrupt, a few days later I was able to appreciate the shocking twist and cliffhanger for the masterful choice it was. This is definitely worth picking up if you love romantasy books or if you’re interested in picking one up!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books for the eARC.

I have heard so much about this book and it really did deliver on a crazy ending. Getting there was kind of shaky at first but this book was a wild ride and I could not put it down.

It left a lot of questions however and I am desperate for the next book. There is seriously a lot of things that were either forgotten about or just set aside for now. The vibes for this book were so good that I’m willing to over look that.

I really don’t want to spoil too much about the plot, characters and especially the ending. It’s really best if you don’t know too much before reading it.

I did enjoy it and it’s quick read despite being almost 500 pages! I love the short chapters which I feel most books really need to start doing.

Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider is a fantasy adventure set in a richly imagined world where the Alaha people have been cast out and forced to survive off-land, only visiting for brief moments to trade and resupply. Life on the water is all most Alaha ever know, and the book wastes no time immersing the reader in that unique, dangerous way of life.

We follow Brynn, a young Alaha girl in training to become a guard, as she travels to a market hosted by the land-dwelling Kenta. From there, the story slowly unfolds—introducing us to a mysterious stranger who seems to know more than he should, a treacherous journey over water, and magic no one was aware about.

The plot builds gradually, and while I enjoyed the ride from the beginning, I didn’t find myself fully hooked until the final two chapters. Up until then, I was hovering around a 3.5 to 3.75 star rating. The story was solid and the worldbuilding compelling, but I wasn’t entirely emotionally invested. Then, the plot twist hit: and it changed everything. It pulled everything I’d been reading into a new light and gave the entire narrative a sharper edge. That twist alone brought my rating up to a 4.25, because of how it reframed earlier moments in the book and made me want to go back and reread to spot the clues I missed.

As for the characters: Brynn is a strong lead, easy to root for, and her determination to protect her people and understand the truth gives the story a clear emotional center. Acker started off with a lot of promise—mysterious, confident, and interesting—but for me, he lost some momentum as the story progressed. His development didn’t quite keep pace with the stakes being raised, and I found myself more invested in the side characters than in him. Messer, though, completely stole the show for me. He is layered, complex, and so deeply loyal. He’s the kind of character who leaps off the page and stays with you long after you finish. I’d give my life for him, and I do not say that lightly.

The story itself is engaging, with a lot of heart and movement. The lore and magic are introduced slowly, but steadily enough that it doesn't feel lost. Even the more unbelievable elements (THAT PLOT TWIST) start to click when viewed through the lens of hindsight. There’s clearly a lot more to this world than what we’ve seen so far, and I’m curious to see where future books might take it.

Overall, Metal Slinger is a fresh fantasy with a strong heroine, a plot that builds to something truly satisfying, and a cast of characters worth following. Definitely a book worth reading.

Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Let’s talk about Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider

I can say without a doubt that I need book two right now. This book is so under-hyped that it needs to be in the forefront of some of the best Romantasy books out there.

Not only is the world building and characters so interesting, the magic system and politics within the story drive it home. It’s like you have this glorious ball of storytelling all in the palm of your hand and you cannot wait to gobble it up.

And the slow burn…the slow burn is perfect. Just enough to keep you yearning for more and more. Brynn and Anker characters are so well written, you can’t but help to love them.

Yet…the end of the book? Just - whoa. It made me so want to cry, scream, fall out of my bed on what happened. I have no words.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Saturday Books for my honest feedback.

This book was just amazing.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥🔥

✨ Found family
✨ Friends to lovers/enemies to lovers
✨ Slow burn
✨ World building
✨ Political intrigue
✨ Fated mates
✨ Magical system

Ok well HOLY FREAKING PLOT TWIST! I am unwell. I did NOT see that coming. I feel enraged. And upset! What a wonderful, twisty book! I loved how the setting of this world is described.
It was quite different from some romantasy books, and I appreciated the uniqueness of it.
I don't know who to trust now. Who to love. Who to hate. I am feeling so many emotions after the last several chapters. I feel like i have emotional whiplash! I am so heartbroken for Acker. I truly did not see that coming, and usually things like this are easy to spot. But wow. I am mind blown. I should've known considering the FMC started to annoy me at about 75% through. But man. I can't handle it. I need book 2 immediately!!! Everything I thought I knew about how I was feeling about this book has left me on a breeze. I have no Words!

This one got me. The twists and turns got me.

I’ve been seeing this book all over the internet so I HAD to pick it up. And I’m so happy I did.

I suggest going in as blind as possible honestly. It made for such a great reading experience.

Cannot wait for book 2!

Fully read it because BookTok and Emmy Rosam recommended it and it DID. NOT. DISAPPOINT!! I am so addicted now

Rating: 3.5 stars

Going into this book, I knew the main that had everyone’s attention was the plot twist and so I made a mental note to myself to be on the lookout for it. Funnily enough, I had no idea the plot twist was happening until it actually happened. It caught me completely off guard and yes it was a really good plot twist but I will say that everything else about the book felt like it was very much secondary.

It was a good and enjoyable read but I wouldn’t say anything stood out to me in particular apart from the ending. It started off very fast pace in the beginning but hit a lull towards the middle and i was left scrambling at the end. I would definitely recommend this to fantasy beginners because it’s one of the better “intro to romantasy” style books i’ve read.

The final 3 chapters throw so much at you! The story feels interesting and makes sense but then she threw in auch major twists. I need to know what happened to Ackers mother and how Beau got involved (her mother?) and potentially Hollis. Who knew and what's the plan now, ah!

I just consumed this in 48 hours and loved every second of it. This is exactly what I want in a Romantasy!!! The ending.. BLEW ME AWAY and left me itching for the next book immediately but now we wait!!

This captured me right from the start! If you enjoy an easy (beginner) Romantasy, this is for you!! The magic system is so freaking cool. I will say, it did start to get a tad slow from 50-70% but I just loved the entire concept and storyline of this book so much, I simply cannot give it anything less than 5 stars. This is one of my favorites this year!

“She has beautiful eyes,” he says softly, like he’s lost to memory. “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.”

So glad this book is now getting the recognition and hype it deserves!!! Loved it. Cant wait to get a physical copy for my shelves.

I am so thrilled to see Metal Slinger get picked up for traditional publishing! This book shook me to my core and still remains one of the most jaw dropping stories I've read in a while. We follow Brynn, who is part of the exiled Alaha who live their lives over the sea. Brynn finally gets an opportunity to attend the annual market hosted by the Kenta. While at the market, things don't go according to plan and Brynn eventually finds herself on an action-packed adventure to new lands with a mysterious solider. This is one of those books that you just need to go in mostly blind. The PLOT TWISTS in this book were truly so well done I saw exactly zero of them coming. What to expect from Metal Slinger:

- Enemies to lovers
- Magic
- Forced proximity
- Hidden identities
- Plot twists

THAT CLIFFHANGER, RACHEL?!?! It’s the reason I have trust issues.

Really though, what a fun exploration of elemental magic and I always LOVE a lost/stolen princess trope!