Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt like being dropped into a storm that never quite let up. Beasts of Bearing is heavy—in tone, in emotion, in magic. It’s not a gentle read, but it’s not trying to be. Törnqvist is wrestling with big things here: addiction, power, control, autonomy, and the weight of consequence. And you feel that on every page.

Vicente is one of the more complicated protagonists I’ve read in a while. His magic is both euphoric and destructive, a high he can’t seem to quit—physically or emotionally. Watching him spiral, heal, backslide, and claw his way forward felt frustrating in that deeply human way, the kind that makes you sit with your own discomfort. There were times I wanted to shake him, and times I wanted to protect him. That duality is a strength.

The world around him—politically volatile and morally slippery—is full of characters with jagged edges, none of whom are easy to pin down. Iver, the mercenary, is brutal and relentless and probably one of the most compelling antagonists I’ve read this year. Every dynamic is strained. Every alliance feels like it could snap. And in the middle of it all is Vicente, barely holding it together.

There are moments where the pacing stumbles, and some transitions felt abrupt. But what kept me reading was the emotional clarity, the rawness of Vicente’s internal battle, and the way Törnqvist refuses to soften the reality of power’s cost—on the body, on the mind, on relationships.

It’s a dark book. But it’s also deeply honest. For readers drawn to magic systems with consequences, characters who spiral, and themes of queer identity, shame, and sovereignty, this is worth the emotional investment. Just… go in knowing it won’t hold your hand.

✨Arc Review✨

Thank you to the author Isabelle Tornqvist And netgallery for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Gripping Tale of Magic, Power, and Self-Destruction

Beasts of Bearing by Isabelle Törnqvist is an ambitious dark fantasy debut that tackles heavy themes like addiction, power struggles, and the cost of magic. The premise grabbed me immediately — a magic user fighting both external enemies and his own internal demons in a world rife with political tension and old grudges. There’s a lot to admire here: the world-building is immersive, the characters are flawed and multi-layered, and the stakes feel very real.

Vicente, the protagonist, is a fascinating character whose struggle with addiction to his own magic adds a raw, emotional depth to the story. The tension between him and the mercenary Iver drives much of the narrative, creating moments of intense conflict and uneasy alliances. The setting—a small, isolated town with a history of violence—heightens the suspense and mystery.

That said, I found parts of the story a bit uneven. Some plot threads felt rushed or underdeveloped, especially toward the middle, and I struggled at times to fully connect with the pacing. While the darker, psychological elements add complexity, they occasionally made the narrative feel heavy or sluggish. The political intrigue, though promising, could have been expanded to give the story more dimension.

The writing style is evocative and poetic in places, which added to the atmosphere, but occasionally felt dense, which made reading a slower experience. The novel’s emotional intensity is a strength but might not appeal to everyone, especially those looking for a lighter or more fast-paced fantasy.

Overall, Beasts of Bearing is a compelling, thought-provoking book with strong characters and an original premise. While it didn’t fully meet my expectations, it’s a promising start from Isabelle Törnqvist, and I’m curious to see how the story and world develop in future books.

This book completely caught me off guard in the best way. It’s a slow-burn, character-focused fantasy that manages to balance magic, politics, queer identity, and emotional tension with impressive clarity.

The story follows Vicente, a mystic trained in a unique form of teleportation magic. Calling it ‘magic’, though, undersells how much it’s treated like a controlled substance. One of the strongest parts of this book is how the author draws a clear, nuanced parallel between Vicente’s relationship to his powers and addiction. Every time he uses “Stormwater,” there’s a rush, a euphoric high, and the consequences are real, both internal and external. It’s not glamorised. You feel the temptation, the spiral, and the shame that follows.

But where Beasts of Bearing really shines is its relationships. Vicente’s dynamic with Iver, a captured assassin sent with him on a diplomatic mission, is complicated, messy, and brilliantly written. There’s distrust, attraction, fear, and a slow, reluctant pull toward something more. The tension builds naturally, and when it breaks (yes, there is spice: I’d rate it a level 3), it feels earned. It’s intimate and raw.

At the same time, the book gives space to an already-established relationship: Marcia and her wife, Daiyu. Their marriage is tender and believable, full of in-jokes and emotional shorthand, but it’s not all smooth sailing. The two are navigating the difficult topic of whether or not to have children. Marcia isn’t sure she wants to be a parent, and Daiyu is increasingly vocal about her desire to start a family. This subplot is one of the quiet emotional backbones of the book, and it adds another layer to the already rich cast of characters. It’s nice to see a queer couple in fantasy negotiating that kind of future together with this much nuance.

Beyond the characters, the world-building is excellent. There’s a strong political element woven through everything, and it’s all grounded in believable cultural and social tensions. Nothing is black and white, and I appreciated that the book doesn’t try to wrap things up neatly.
Beasts of Bearing is character-driven fantasy at its best. Queer, emotionally intelligent, politically aware, and deeply immersive. Highly recommend for fans of slow-burn tension, moral complexity, and magic systems with real consequences.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

En un reino dividido por la guerra, los secretos y los dioses, Vicente Lamor es un místico en formación con la capacidad de abrir portales mediante un elixir mágico. Su mundo cambia cuando, en una operación encubierta, captura al temido asesino Far Cry, cuyo verdadero nombre es Iver Vasiliev, un joven francotirador con una puntería sobrenatural y un pasado secreto.

Su éxito lo lleva ante la reina Leandra, quien le asigna una misión diplomática en el conflictivo pueblo de Llyr. Pero no irá solo: Iver es liberado bajo palabra para acompañarlos como escolta, prometiéndole un perdón que tal vez nunca llegue. Junto a ellos viajan Marcia, quien dejó atrás un oscuro pasado en Llyr, y Daiyu, su brillante esposa científica.

Mientras navegan tensiones políticas, identidades falsas y peligros sobrenaturales, se revela un plan mayor: la posible existencia de un semidiós perdido que podría cambiar el curso de la guerra. El viaje los obliga a enfrentarse a sus miedos, pasados y a decidir si pueden confiar unos en otros cuando sus vidas y el destino del reino están en juego.


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Disfrute del libro, pero no me gusto el destino de uno de los personajes y lo que paso entre M y C, sobre todo por la rapidez en que se dio.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest