I just finished reading Whispers Among Thorns, Book 1 of the Deadly Fae Duology by Cassandra Aston.

I’m going to call this one a dystopian romantasy. Set primarily in New York City, the story follows the arrival of fae who have sought refuge among humans. But an oppressive regime has risen to drive them out, and it’s up to Sav, a fae glamoured to appear human, to rescue her kind. Resilient and determined, Sav won’t let anything stand in her way, not even her heart or her dreams of freedom.

Caught in a love triangle, Sav must decide… Will she surrender to a forbidden love with a human, or choose the fae prince and claim her power? I can’t wait to see where the story goes in book two!

TechaBooks Review Rubric:
🎭Narrative Elements (Characters, Plot, Pacing, etc.,) - 4 STARS
🧩Genre: Fantasy (Magic System, World Complexity) - 4 STARS
⭐️ Overall - 4 STARS

Much appreciation to @victoryeditingngc and @netgalley for the advanced e-copy. Opinions shared in this honest review are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Political intrigue, interesting world building and an enemies-to-friends-to hopefully lovers romance (sub)plot. Whispers Among Thorns is the first book in the Deadly Fae duology by Cassandra Aston and delivers on those three fronts!

The story mainly follows Sav, a fae forced to live in the human realm. There are portals connecting the human world with Faerie and I enjoyed not fully knowing what is happening to Faerie and the mystery of why some fae needed to migrate. It is very clearly a first book in a duology/series though, so while there is heavy foreshadowing and the story doesn’t end in a huge cliffhanger, lots of events and secrets remain unresolved.

The book was slightly difficult to get into for me: It was a bit repetitive and slower paced initially due to the extensive world building and setting the political stage. Unfortunately, I felt there was some disconnect between this and the actual plot. Once it started “flowing” more naturally together (around 25% in), my reading experience immediately became heaps better!

The book has multiple POVs and I loved that the number of POVs increases as the story progresses and more secrets are coming to light! Both Sav and Jack (our MMC) are very interesting characters, but Sav’s actions and motivations are a bit contradictory and therefore frustrating at times especially regarding the romance. Also, I find the romance in this book is very much a subplot even though there are parts of the book that put more emphasis on the budding relationship between Sav and Jack. If that might be a dealbreaker for you I would keep that in mind before reading.

It’s not a new favourite, but I’m definitely interested in the sequel and I would recommend reading if it sounds like something you might enjoy! Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is pure magic. I kept wishing it was longer, not because it felt incomplete, but because I wanted more. More history. More of the why, who, what. The world was so intriguing, I wanted to live in it longer.

The central rule-never fall in love with a human-sets the tone right away, and you just know someone's going to break it. The tension is real, and the way Cassandra Aston builds that slow, magnetic pull between the leads had me flipping pages late into the night. There's danger, desire, and just enough mystery to keep you constantly guessing what's really at play in the fae world.
The writing is smooth and immersive, and the world of the fae feels both beautiful and cruel in equal measure. I especially loved the way emotional vulnerability was handled-there's real weight behind the romantic stakes, not just pretty words.

If you like your romantasy with high stakes, slow-burn secrets, and characters who challenge everything they've been told to believe-Whispers of the Dark is your next obsession.

I need a fanfic of Kasper RIGHT NOW 😩😩

Sage is a Virgo sun, moon, AND rising?? That explains the.. not stick… not branch…. Massive oak tree up her ass.👀


We need justice for our fav Ken doll, Jack. I feel like the entire book did my boy dirty!

Overall, this was a great book. Urban Fantasy, done right!! (YOU HEAR THAT KAYLA EDWARDS)
I’m ngl I’m upset I have to wait for the ending in late 2025

“If you and the prince are together, tell me now. Because I’d like to know who my competition is.”

Thank you Cassandra Aston and NetGalley for approving this eARC.

This book was truly very engaging and easy to follow. Written in first perspective with multiple POV we got to explore thoughts and feeling from all the main characters, which I always love.

The story follows Sav, a high fae who got banned from the magical realm to NYC, and a human man, who together try to work agains an anti-magical association. It’s a constant action-packed back and forth between reals and the human world, with lots of magical creatures and twist and turns. And so much tension and unresolved feelings!!

I’ve become quite fond of Jack, the MMC, but I somehow ended up falling for Kaspar. Even though he does seem quite controversial and a mixture of best friend and villain at once. I just know there is more to him. And I can’t wait to find out more in the next book.

🏙️Urban fantasy
🧚🏻Fae world
❗️Tension
💔Enemies to friends to ???
👥Forced proximity
⚠️Love triangle (maybe?)

Thank you Netgalley for this arc! I really wanted to love this but it just didn’t hit home for me. I very well might be in a bit of a reading slump but it didn’t pull me in as much as I hoped! I tend to struggle with urban fantasy’s as well so I may not have been the target audience for this.

On the positive side…I did like the premise of the plot. I liked the world building a lot too! I could’ve used a bit more exploring of the magic system but the politics was really well flushed out. The romance was sweet. It could’ve been more in depth - a bit too insta love for me and I found myself struggling to connect with the characters a bit.

I’ve seen a lot of readers enjoy this so it’s definitely worth trying!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Sav, a fae living under the radar in NYC, has her new world turned upside down because of an anti-fae movement which destroys her home and many of the creatures living in it.

Jack, the son to the leader of the anti-fae movement, has always rebelled and gone against his father. This has lead to Jack meeting and going along with Sav’s plan to help save the captured fae.

Both Sav and Jack enter Faerie together and travel to different seasons in search of an army to help aid them. Unexpected turns and events take place so that Jack must decide what is truly important to him.

I really liked this book, but I felt as though at some parts I was wanting something more to happen. I am however very intrigued to see what the next book has to offer.

Thank you so much to author Cassandra Aston and NetGalley/Victory Editing for an ARC of Whispers Among Thorns! Publication date is set for June 24, 2025.

I’m very much looking forward to reading this book and will update my review in due course!

This story covers multiple realms, not just the realm we know, which I find an interesting add because it adds to the world building and provides more room to introduce other relevant characters. From the premise, Sav and Jack were the main two perspectives I was more interested in, but the story provides multiple viewpoints as well. Sav is a brave character who adapts to the situations she's in, and I found Jack's stance a bit intriguing too given not just who his father is in the story but also how he refers to his father. As this is a duology this book also seemed to set up to lead into another part, but this was overall a good introduction given the worldbuilding and current character dynamics.

Thank you for the complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

There’s only one rule that truly matters. Never fall in love with a human. Break it and die.

Living under the radar in New York City, Sav just wants to carve out a life in her new world. That hope is shattered when the leader of the anti-fae movement destroys her home in an attack on her people. Finding herself caught between protecting a deadly secret and saving the fae from the humans bent on slaughter, Sav must infiltrate the extremist's inner circle, posing as a human, and seduce her sworn enemy’s son.

Jack, the son of the infamous anti-fae-faction leader Dane Clyde, has always lived in his father’s shadow. When a woman is brought into AFF headquarters in chains, he finds himself drawn to her despite the danger. Caught between duty and desire, Jack must choose a side before one is chosen for him.

What began as a mission to rescue Sav’s people may end up costing them both so much more than they bargained for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this arc.
I did enjoy the book but I really wanted more.
This definitely has potential but parts fell off for me unfortunately!

The overall concept was amazing but I felt like narrative flow was a bit disjointed at times, making it hard to follow .I’d like to see more character development, back stories and more on why fae and humans are on earth together.

Thank you Net Galley for this eARC!

I loved this book. It has everything I loved in it, faeries and humans having to mingle with a twist of enemies to lovers. I loved the world building and interesting characters. I also enjoyed the urban setting contrasted with the fae realm. I enjoyed the fmc even though she goes through it in the beginning. Overall I enjoyed the book very much but also please check your trigger warnings.

This is book 1 of a fae duology and actually my first fae book. So while I can’t compare to others in this genre, I found it interesting how the Faerie world was structured around seasonal courts. The story follows Sav, banished high fae, and Jack, human and son of the villain (yep, forbidden romance). It’s set in between 2 worlds after they’ve collided, NYC and the Faerie realm, creating what I’d say is a darker and action packed storyline.

This has been set up with a lot of questions that I’m hoping we see answered in book 2. I’m especially keen to get to know the characters more. Their backstories do unfold later into the book but it’s clear there’s more beneath the surface, especially after the ending. I’d definitely read the second book to see what comes next. Thanks for a copy of this eARC!

This book is pure magic. I kept wishing it was longer, not because it felt incomplete, but because I wanted more. More history. More of the why, who, what. The world was so intriguing, I wanted to live in it longer.

And oh, the metaphors. My soul was doing backflips. “The dissidence in the air was so thick, on some days, like today, it was hard to breathe.” Lines like that had me pausing, rereading, feeling things.

Then the second half hit, and everything changed. Suddenly, it is packed with action, forbidden love, twists I did not see coming, and more of that delicious magic. I loved that we are dropped straight into the chaos from page one. No hand-holding. Just go.

The contrast between New York and Faerie? So good. Completely different and yet... the politics, power plays, betrayals somehow still feel the same. That parallel really stuck with me.

Also, this line? “We don’t choose the time we get with the ones we love, only the time we don’t.”
Still not over it.

The best part? It is a series. The next book is out next year, and I need it now. But I will pretend to be patient as I wait to dive back into this thorny, magical, beautifully twisted world.

I received an ARC of Whispers Among Thorns by Cassandra Aston and really enjoyed the ride. The pacing is quick without feeling rushed, and the world is layered with tension between humans and fae, courts, and within the characters themselves.

Sav is a fierce and loyal main character, driven by a deep sense of responsibility to protect those who can’t protect themselves. She’s the kind of protagonist who fights with her heart. Jack, her unlikely ally, adds depth and mystery to the story as their paths intertwine across both human lands and the world of Faerie.

There’s a strong emotional core here. Old bargains, deep secrets and the question of identity all come into play in subtle and satisfying ways. The stakes are high, the magic is intriguing, and the relationships are compelling.

A strong start to a promising series. I’ll definitely be reading the next one!

I did not finish this book pretty early at about 5 percent. It was too close to crescent city and I did not enjoy the modern language used in it.

Whispers Among horns is the first instalment in Cassandra Aston’s Deadly Fae Duology.

This dark urban fantasy introduces readers to a world where ancient fae and humans collide, weaving a tale of forbidden love, espionage, and high-stakes rebellion.

In the heart of New York City, Sav strives to live inconspicuously among humans. Her fragile peace shatters when an extremist anti-fae group destroys her home and takes her and other fae captive. While captured she meets Jack, son of the anti-fae leader, who is secretly working against his own father to help the fae.

What follows is a multi-world adventure filled with rebellion, espionage , and slow-burning tension as Sav and Jack navigate dangerous alliances to save the fae in the human world. Along the way, Sav must grapple with her growing feelings for Jack.

Why I Loved It:
* Immersive world-building: The integration of fae elements into the modern world is both imaginative and believable.
* Complex Characters: Sav’s strength and vulnerability make her a compelling protagonist.
* Slow-Burn Romance.

It asks deeper questions about identity and power: What are we willing to become to survive? Who do we protect when the lines blur between love and duty?

The intricate plot and rich character development will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment. Recommended for fans of morally grey heroines, enemies-to-lovers and fae fantasy.

I was able to get this ARC through NetGalley.

While this was a good book, it took some time to get into. Building the story, the setting/characters all take time to get out. So the story takes time to get going and feels disjointed at times.

You get thrown into Savs world in New York City, where she is currently living under magical glamours so the humans aren’t aware of her status as a fae. The human world isn’t safe for them and they are all being attacked by the anti-fae-faction or AFF.

After being captured by the AFF Sav meets Jack the son of their leader Dane. As time passes Sav learns that Jack isn’t like his father and get his help in escaping. While feelings develop between the two, they know they are playing with fire. Will they be able to help rescue Savs people, or will the Fae world fall to ruin by the AFF?

I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment of the Deadly Fae Duology.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I did enjoy the book but I really wanted more 🥺
This definitely has potential but parts of fell off for me unfortunately!

The overall concept was amazing but I felt like narrative flow was a bit disjointed at times, making it hard to follow 🥺
I’d like to see more character development, back stories and more on why fae and humans are on earth together.

What I loved about this book was there was a lot of side characters mainly Kasper and Dane🥰 the love Kasper has for Sav and would do anything for her ❤️ whilst Dane is evil but very interesting with his backstory and depth.

The romance was very short for me. To be honest I really didn’t feel much between Sav (FMC) and Jack (MMC). I felt more with Kasper and Sav than Jack and Sav 🙃

Despite of my personal opinions I still did enjoy this book and I read the next book

Was archived weeks prior to publication date so unfortunately did not download in time as I did not realise. I would have like to have read and reviewed it.

There’s only one rule that truly matters. Never fall in love with a human. Break it and die.

Living under the radar in New York City, Sav just wants to carve out a life in her new world. That hope is shattered when the leader of the anti-fae movement destroys her home in an attack on her people. Finding herself caught between protecting a deadly secret and saving the fae from the humans bent on slaughter, Sav must infiltrate the extremist's inner circle, posing as a human, and seduce her sworn enemy’s son.

Jack, the son of the infamous anti-fae-faction leader Dane Clyde, has always lived in his father’s shadow. When a woman is brought into AFF headquarters in chains, he finds himself drawn to her despite the danger. Caught between duty and desire, Jack must choose a side before one is chosen for him.

What began as a mission to rescue Sav’s people may end up costing them both so much more than they bargained for.

When I saw this blurb on Netgalley – I was excited to read this story, but sadly it didn’t live up to the blurb. First the book is written in First Person Narrative – UGH – but the author doesn’t just give the reader one POV – no, it is multiple character POVs in rotating chapters – which made the story hard to get into. Then there is Sav, I just never warmed up to her and found the romance between her and Jack to be underwhelming. I did like the dual world perspective and some of the secondary characters, but unfortunately, that just wasn’t enough to salvage this story for me. This is the first book in a duology, and I would recommend reading the books in order.

2.5 stars rounded up

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *