“Just because a story isn’t for me doesn’t mean it won’t be for someone else.”

2.75 rounded to 3 ⭐️

I really wanted to love this book. The tropes were right up my alley: Enemies to Lovers, Fae court politics, slow burn, forbidden romance, witty banter, etc.

But as I kept reading, the execution and progression just didn’t sit well with me. I found it hard to stay invested in the characters and plot, and despite giving it a fair shot, it didn’t hold my interest the way I hoped it would. I loved Sav and Jack's interactions though, and Hazel and Kaspar.

This doesn’t mean it’s a bad book—just not the right fit for me as a reader. I know and believe that there are readers out there who love and connect with this story more than I did.

Sending love and respect to the author 🫶🏻 Also, thank you Netgalley for the opportunity for an eARC.

Whispers Among Thorns is an engaging and atmospheric urban fantasy that blends fae mythology with modern New York City. The world-building is rich and layered, with a great mix of political intrigue, magic, and complex characters caught between two worlds.

Sav is a strong, relatable protagonist whose journey from exile to rebellion felt compelling, and the slow-burn romance with Jack was well-paced, filled with tension and vulnerability. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Kaspar and Sav’s sister Sage, who added depth and complexity to the story.

The story takes a little while to find its footing, and the multiple POVs sometimes made the narrative feel a bit scattered. I would have liked a bit more backstory and development early on, especially around the fae magic and history. But once the action picked up in the Faerie realm, the stakes grew higher, and the political twists kept me hooked.

If you enjoy fae fantasy with a darker, mature tone, slow-burning romance, and plenty of secrets and betrayal, this book is definitely worth checking out. I’m looking forward to the next installment!

3.5 🌟

Sav is a fae who has been banished to the human realm with her magic bound, along with many low fae. When her people are attacked and imprisoned by anti-fae humans, she has to work with the anti-fae leader's son, Jack. Along their journey, she has to supress any developing feelings for Jack, as it is a death sentence to fall in love with a human.

I'm a little conflicted about this book. There are some parts I adore, but the romance fell short for me.

What I loved most about the book was a lot of the side characters and the overall plot. It was a bit predictable, but I got sucked in quickly. It's obvious from the start that there's more going on than meets the eye for Sav and Jack, as well as with the overarching human vs. fae conflict. All the characters have their own secrets, and the author did a great job pacing out all the little information reveals throughout the book.

I loved a lot of the side characters, especially Kaspar. He is so loyal to Sav and I love him for that ❤️ The antagonists are also really well-developed. Dane (Jack's dad) is an evil, creepy asshole, but he's interesting. I love a villain with a backstory and depth.

For the romance, I didn't really feel a strong chemistry between Jack and Sav. Honestly, I like Kaspar a lot more than Jack 😭 Jack fell way too quickly for Sav, and it felt very superficial.

I've seen people tag this as enemies to lovers, but it's way more of a forbidden romance than EtL. They're never actually enemies; Jack is supposed to be on the human side of the conflict, but from the very start he's been helping the fae and going against his father.

Despite my personal opinions about our main couple, I still enjoyed reading this! This was my first Cassandra Aston book, and I'll definitely keep an eye on her future releases (and book 2 of this duology!)


Thank you Netgalley and Cassandra Aston for the chance to read the ARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

Whispers Among Thorns is a dark and interesting fae romance. I loved that this subverted the norms with the fae being seen as the 'lesser species' and this worked really well and instantly intrigued me. I also absolutely loved it being a bit of a slow burn. The lore was also so intriguing with magic mixed with politics of the courts. You won't want to put this down and I can't wait to read the next book.

This book, had me hooked from the beginning. The beginning was very emotional and challenging.
It's different from the typical fantasy romance, it takes place in new York and a Fae Realm. Since those two worlds have collided Fae and humans are trying to live side by side. But the Fae are in a disadvantaged position with the humans, suffering racism and attacks, and then we have an FMC who is the Fae and an MMC who is the human.
The attraction between our MCs is instantly but they can't really act on it.
I adored some of the side characters and I need to know more about them. There are so many mysteries that we still need to uncover and I can't wait to read the next book.

Definitely enjoyed reading this. It gave ACOTAR vibes with the different courts. I also love a good multiple POV book. I think the romance was a bit too instant for me, but thats really me trying to pinpoint something. Like I said, I had a great time reading this. Thank you so much for the opportunity to ARC read this!!

4⭐️Whispers Among Thorns is the first book in the Deadly Fae Duology, offering a darkly woven tale of rebellion, secrets, and a slow-burning romance set in a richly built fae world.

The story follows Sav, a fierce and layered FMC who’s been cast out into the human realm. An anti-fae uprising destroys her home and captures her fellow fae kind. To save them, she must seduce her sworn enemy’s son, Jack, but neither of them anticipates how deep their connection will run after upon learning each other’s secrets.

I’ll admit, it took me about 20% to truly get into the book, but once I did, I was hooked. The fae politics were smart and intense, the action thrilling, and the romance simmered perfectly in the background, the perfect balance if I say so myself. The writing style is a standout for me, it’s vivid, emotional, and effortlessly immersive. Every fight, every setting, every stolen glance was written with purpose.

The pacing starts off slow for my liking but picks up beautifully, and the cliffhanger ending left me both devastated and eager for the next book. (Seriously, I need book two yesterday🥺)

Perfect for readers who love unique world-building, slow-burn tension, hidden secrets, layered heroines, and a hint of love-triangle drama 🤫If you enjoy fantasy with heart-pounding stakes and unpredictable twists, this one’s for you for sure.

Thank you so much for a chance to read this book, provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op.

Whispers Among Thorns was such a fun surprise — a dark urban fae fantasy with forbidden romance, great tension, and a ton of potential for the second book. I loved Sav as the sharp, banished fae just trying to survive in NYC, and Jack? He’s the soft-hearted human cinnamon roll I didn’t know I needed. Plus he falls first and I am obsessed with that. Their chemistry builds slowly, but the tension is chef’s kiss and the stakes kept rising. The worldbuilding was a little chaotic at times, but the vibes and characters carried it for me. I'm super intrigued by the fae lore, especially the court politics and magic, and I’m absolutely reading the next book in the duology.
Great thanks to NetGalley and Cassandra Astor for opportunity to read ARC. All opinions are mine!

This book had me gripped from the beginning. I felt like it was different than most fae romances. It was really good! I'm never a huge fan of like urban fantasy type things but this was really good. I can't wait for book 2!

I LOVED THIS ONE! A dark, urban fantasy romance full of forbidden lust, high stakes and a war between fae and humans.

Sav is a high fae who has had her magic binded and banished to the fae realm for so called crimes against her family. She has spent 3 years living in Central Park amidst other fae in specialised housing. Unfortunately, there are a band of humans who aren't happy that the fae have crossed to the human world and want them out.

The usual lies are given - they're stealing our jobs, they're violent, you aren't safe if they're around. We are thrust full force into a deadly protest held by the Anti-Fae Faction (AFF) where Sav is captured by Dane, the leader of the AFF. Within the HQ, Sav meets Jack, and a plan begins to take shape in Savs mind.

What follows next is an adventure, to say the least, taking a trip to Fairie. I loved reading about the different fae, the creatures that exist, and the politics of the realms. Shifters, orcs, seelies and kelpies just to name a few. One thing I'm still not too sure on is how the magical system works, why they have the specific powers they do - I know it's something to do with their court but I don't remember it being explained in detail.

One of my favourite characters was Kaspar, I *need* more of him. There are definitely plenty of secrets he keeps hidden so I hope we get to see more of him in book 2! My heart did break for him several times though, he was so utterly devoted to Sav, but she just used him over and over again. I know why and I'd have done the same thing, but my gosh it hurt.

The ending had me so excited for book 2 - I think Jack is about to enter his villain era and I am HERE FOR IT!

Thank you so much to @cassandra.aston.author and @netgalley for an advanced copy of the book 💚

Let me start by saying I loved this book !
We first meet our FMC Sav , a Fae sent to earth 3 years prior. It’s not only Sav but many Fae because their realm has begun to disappear. Sav has been banished to Earth for other reasons that we find out about throughout the book. Sav meets Jack when she’s captured by the villain of the story, a despicable man who wants to erase anyone not human. Sav and Jack escape and we follow them on the journey to get Sav’s magic back so she can release the other captured Fae.
This book has it all, magic, magical creatures, seasonal courts, enemies to lovers, slow burn and everything that’s loved in a good fantasy. What I was really impressed with was the plot, yea it’s a fantasy but the story line, the twists and turns and the whole concept were extremely captivating without the fantasy aspect over shining it.
I had no idea what was going to happen and honestly we won’t find out in this book ! Cliffhanger, yes there is and it’s also done wonderfully ! As I read the last page of this , I wondered how I was going to last until December for book two ! I’ll give this a 4.5 stars , I’m sure I’ll bump it up to a 5 after I read the next one.

I was able to read an eARC of this thanks to Victory Editing NetGalley co op and Cassandra Aston. Thank you all !!

Thanks to NetGalley and Cassandra Aston for the ARC of book one in the Deadly Fae Duology.

This one took me a minute to settle into. The world building came in fast, and there were a lot of moving parts right out of the gate. But once the story found its rhythm, I was along for the ride.

Sav is a solid FMC. She’s sharp, guarded, and walking a dangerous line trying to infiltrate a fae-hating extremist group while keeping her own secrets buried. Watching her navigate that tension, especially with Jack in the picture, was one of the stronger points of the book. Jack brings his own complexity. He’s caught between loyalty to his family and the pull toward Sav, and that conflict makes him more than just a typical romantic lead.

The pacing was a little uneven for me. Once the pieces fell into place, the story picked up and carried solid emotional weight and forward momentum. There's tension, there's danger, and just enough romance to keep things interesting.

The world itself is intriguing. There's a modern-meets-magic vibe, and once you start to get a feel for the political and magical systems, it clicks. The fae lore adds a dangerous edge to the story, but it never overshadows the character development.

There’s that undercurrent of found family I always appreciate, even if it didn’t quite steal the show.

Overall, Whispers Among Thorns didn’t blow me away, but it had a lot going for it. It’s got grit, heart, and a world with more to uncover. I’ll definitely check out book two to see where this story leads.

First off I think that most people will really enjoy this. I did. But I was a little cookie cutter for me. I have read this story so many time in other books. However the characters and the world building is great. Exactly the characters. If you are new to Romantasy I would definitely this. If you have been around a while I would tell you to give it a try too.

Thank you to Netgalley and Cassandra Aston for this ARC

3.5 ⭐️

First off I think that most people will really enjoy this. I did. But I was a little cookie cutter for me. I have read this story so many time in other books. However the characters and the world building is great. Exactly the characters. If you are new to Romantasy I would definitely this. If you have been around a while I would tell you to give it a try too.

Thank you to Netgalley and Cassandra Aston for this ARC

3.5 ⭐️

I want to give a HUGE thank you to author Cassandra Aston as well as NetGallery for my VERY FIRST ARC!

While this may not have been my top read of the year, I was so intrigued by the New York City setting with both Fae and Humans forced to live side by side.

I loved the romance between the FMC, Sav, and MMC, Jack. While I love a dark and broody man, it was so refreshing that Jack was so grounded and wholesome.

I found the world building and history to be extremely interesting, but a little hard to follow at times.

Overall, I loved how this book wasn’t as cookie cutter as some other romantasy books I’ve read.

You’ll get a chance to pick up a copy on release day, tomorrow June 24th ✨

The collision between the huma and Fae worlds is such an interesting concept. It was a bit difficult exploring themes of racism between the humans and fae, given how much this is top of mind in the real world. I enjoyed exploring the characters, especially Sav as FMC, and all of the supporting characters and their motivations were fun to explore. Massive cliffhanger, and looking forward to the next book.

📚 ARC Review: Whispers Among Thorns
✍️ Author: Cassandra Aston
📅 Release Date: June 24th, 2025
🏷️ Genre:Romantasy
🌶️ Spice Rating: 🌶️
⭐️ Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
📖 Book Overview
When her home is destroyed by anti-fae extremists, Sav is forced to go undercover—posing as a human to infiltrate the movement and seduce her enemy’s son. Jack Clyde, heir to the faction’s brutal legacy, never expected to fall for the mysterious prisoner who threatens everything he knows. But as secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, their forbidden connection could ignite a war.
✨ Initial Thoughts
I picked this book up because I was interested to see how the author would navigate the world of having both fea and earth. From the very beginning, I was a little wishy-washy on whether I was going to like this book. With it starting off heading straight into action I felt like I wasn’t as invested in the outcome of the first couple of chapters. But, as I continued to read I fell in love with the character while they were on their journey.
💘 What I Loved
This book absolutely delivered on pacing after the 15% mark. After the first initial chapters I was hooked into the plot and I liked how their mission was not just an easy path. There were twists and turns that kept me interested. I especially loved the side characters throughout the book. Both Kasper and Hazel are great characters that help you understand Sav’s background and how she has changed during their time apart.
😬 What Didn’t Work for Me
While I really enjoyed the book overall, I had a hard time with the insta love/ lust Jake and Sav had towards each other. I wanted to see more growth after them having initial attraction for each other. On the same line I didn’t enjoy that every male character had feelings for Sav. It would have been fine with me if it was only like one other person but it was like every male she met. I was also a little disappointed that there wasn't more time that Sav was in the enemies compound. I wanted there to be more interactions between the two sides and how she would infiltrate their compound. Still, it didn’t take away from the story but it was worth mentioning.

🖤 Final Thoughts
If you’re into insta attraction, playing the long game and missions inside missions you’ll want this one on your shelf. I am excited to see how this duology will play out in the end.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes — if you really enjoy insta attraction, playing the long game and missions inside missions.
Maybe not for readers who need more world building, don’t like insta love/lust, along with every make having a thing for the FMC.
📢 Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts are my own!

I had a LOT of fun reading this & couldn’t put it down. I really love how different the plot/storyline feels compared to many books I’ve read recently.
I love that Sav is a strong & independent, stabby FMC who would do anything to ensure the safety of not only her loved ones, but the ‘lower’ fae aswell. I love a hero who has good intentions but will also do what she needs to do, by any means necessary. She’s been sent to the human world and has had her magic bound, and when her city apartment is burnt down by an Anti Fae group, she must escape them & make her way back to the Faerie realm and try to get help from her estranged family/court.

The story wasn’t exactly what I expected based on the description, but I truly enjoyed reading it nonetheless. It is fast paced, and I really enjoyed the multiple perspectives, adding more depth to the entire story and my understanding of the characters.

I was excited to learn after finishing this ARC, that the second book will be released at the end of this year. I cannot wait to read more about Sav & Jacks story and to learn how it all unfolds.

DNF
This book is the most common plot you will read in the fantasy or rather romantasy genre. I understand the people who liked this book and recommend it; even I would have done that in the past.
This book is for someone who has recently picked up the romantasy genre and is getting acquainted with it. This is the same kind of story that is present in books written by Sarah J. Mass. When I was starting out in this community, I read books like these all the time and loved them but my fascination has dwindled and I'm no longer interested.
I was hoping I would have liked this book as I read the description but as I continued reading, I realised that it didn't really hold my attention and I didn't want to pick it back up again.
This is not a negative review in terms of the plot and especially about the book but it's just my opinion about the fact that I'm really tired of reading these kind of plots.
**Thank you Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op and Netgalley for the ARC**

I really liked this one! The writing style was super engaging, and the characters actually felt real.