Thank you to Net Galley for the chance to be able to review this in advance!

In this world, magic is fueled by pleasure and pain- the main City this is based in (Vallin) emphasises the pleasure and I really enjoyed the descriptions of the scrumptious food, art, music and beauty everywhere. It made me want to be able to visit (as a fly on the wall of course). The book premise starts off with a wonderfully solid group of friends and fellow silvercloaks in training- it was clever to use each friend description to really showcase the different types of magic specialities. I do wish there was more on them later in the book.

Secondly the detective side and undercover work was nerve-wracking and I couldn't put the book down! It was full of magic, intrigue and whilst the twists were not too surprising, the storyline felt like it was moving nicely. I felt the romance came at the right pace too, it developed rather than was instant.

Overall I really enjoyed Saff's story and looks forward to reading more in the series!

Some of my favourite quotes:

"Beauty was wasted on a soul so corrupt"

"I am what most would consider a monster, but I have always had a code".

We love a morally grey MC!

I’ve previously really enjoyed Laura Steven‘s writing and was excited to give this book a go and right from the get go I was hooked in.
I do think you can tell this is Steven’s first adult fantasy book as even though the themes are darker and more adult, the main character still feels rather juvenile, as does some of the writing… however as someone who still enjoys a good YA I didn’t think it took anything away from the story.
The magic system is really unique and the world building was vast and felt rich and full as the story went on.
The characters are fully rounded and have a lot of growth through out the story which I enjoyed reading.
The overall story is well thought out and I really enjoyed it… plus THAT ENDING… I can not wait for book 2!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the E-ARC of this book.

Loved this book!
The magic system is so cool and I really liked both the MMC and the FMC. I did get a bit sceptical about 1/3 of the way through but I was proven wrong because it got better and better, the last 50 pages were outstanding

THIS BOOK WAS INSANE! OMG - I am still recovering and I am obsessed! I was immediately swept away and immersed in the magic and I don't even know where to begin with Saffron and Levan. The way they bond and join and heal each other without realising as time goes on is so beautiful, the spice had me sweating and the plot twists had me in bits!! I had heard the hype around this book but was not prepared for it to DELIVER on this level! I NEED a book 2!!

Silvercloak is one of the best books I've ever read in my entire life.
Laura is utterly mind-bogglingly amazing! Her talent and the way she's created this world astounded me with every page.
Silvercloak is not like anything I've ever read before and feels very unique. My magic system was so interesting to learn about and to see how the characters navigated that was super interesting.
The characters are so three-dimensional You really feel like you're with them.
The plot had me hooked from the beginning, I was guess constantly trying to guess what was coming next. Laura really had me on the edge of my seat for the whole book and the ending... Well... if you know you know. And if you don't know, get to know.

If you grew up on Harry Potter and are having withdrawals this book will definitely satisfy your cravings. The opening scene gave me “voldemorts time of rule” vibes with wands and death spells. There was a lot happening in this series opener and I think L.K. Steven did a fantastic job at establishing the perimeters and rules of the setting. It felt familiar and original at the same time, which made it easy to follow.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC copy. Unfortunately this was a DNF at 10% for me, I never abandon books but this just hit too close to Harry Potter for me which meant I couldn't get into it. I realise that will be a positive for a lot of people, but despite being a fan I just found it jarring. I loved the author's previous title and I'm sad that I couldn't get further in this 2/5.

Silvercloak is an adult fantasy romance enemies to lovers that will satisfy all your Dramione eske cravings.
The world feels very nostalgic for anyone who liked Harry Potter when they were younger but we get to see the darker side of organised crime. We get wands, cloaks and spells. I looove the aspect of pain and pleasure amplifying magic.
Like many fantasy book this tackles the topic of good vs evil, and can people be both.
I loved the romance between Saffron and Levan. Two people who don’t know if they can trust the other, finding themselves forming a connection when they know they shouldn’t. I won’t say too much because of spoilers but their relationship is both hot and heartbreaking
Another thing about this world was the way it tackled sexuality. I love a world where everyone is free to express themselves as they please.

3.5⭐️

Okay I’ll give this story it’s due, it was a VERY compelling read and I had a hella lot of fun. If you take anything away from my review let it be that!

Basically, this is a very Harry Potter coded under cover solider/spy with a healthy dosing of spicy romance and honestly? That was probably enough for me! (Well not really I wanted a little more)

Some of the character decisions left a lot to be desired and me kinda going huh??? But added ever so to the drama.

I loved the FMC, couldn’t care less about her ‘friends’ or her uncles? Like we never knew/met them and are supposed to care about them somehow - enjoyed MMC but some wack thought processes going on there. Together they are 🔥 but also lmao this shouldn’t work.

Defo will be reading this next one but going by the epilogue I get the feeling I might hate it. OH WELL

Thanks as always to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

A gripping read that keeps you focused and excited at what is to come next. The storyline is immpecible and excecuted so well

Many thanks to Cornerstone Press, Random House UK, and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Silvercloak is a strong opening to a new fantasy trilogy from L.K Steven. The tropes include:
Magic system
Undercover
Prophecy
Enemies to lovers
Forbidden romance
Morally grey MMC

The story consists of Saffron going undercover in a mission to take down the group responsible for the murder of her parents when she was a child. I thought setting a revenge story against the backdrop of a world where magic is fuelled by pleasure and pain was an interesting concept which was executed well.

The worldbuilding was excellent, the characters felt layered and distinct, the magic system was unique and compelling, the plot held dramatic tension all the way to the end, and the story moves along at a steady pace without dragging or feeling rushed.

I appreciated the complexity of Saffron, our focal POV, as she must navigate difficult choices and come to terms with her shifting loyalties as she becomes embedded amongst her enemies.

Whilst this is not as tagged as a ‘romantasy’, there is a romantic subplot which is serviceable enough for the story but becomes crucial to the plot towards the end of the book and this is where I feel it could have been flushed out further. I hope we explore more of their dynamic in the next book.

There is a memorable animal companion who you will undoubtedly become attached to.

Overall, I found this an engaging read and the ending left me wanting more. I plan to read the rest of the series.

4 stars.

5⭐

Every aspect of the writing feels well-balanced. It’s definitely dark in places, with a significant number of lost limbs for the overall headcount, but it’s not overdone. Similarly, there are some spicy scenes, but they’re not the main focus, and the plot drives the romance rather than the other way around.

The magic system in Silvercloak deserves a special mention. It's definitely more of a hard magic system that s very intricate, and built on solid rules which is something I really tend to enjoy. Whether it’s elemental wielding, potion brewing, healing, enchanting objects, compelling, or foresight, every aspect is thoughtfully constructed to create a vivid tapestry of magic that drenches this world and perfectly complements the human drama on display.

What truly sets this book apart for me are its characters. Their complex histories, conflicting morals, and genuine aspirations made every decision they faced feel intimately personal.

The tension and the high stakes of the plot was fantastic, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. Silvercloak is easily one of the best fantasy books I've read this year, I adored it. If you're looking for a fantasy book that combines darker and sometimes deadly magic, with all the tension and drama of a thriller novel, a complex female lead and a world filled with intrigue and secrets you know you've only just started to unravel, then you need to pick up Silvercloak this summer!

A fantastic fantasy novel which sees a disgraced mage deep undercover with a criminal gang. We reach the end of the book, and I truly don't know what I'm hoping will come next! The battle between Silvercloaks and Bloodcloaks has me hooked - Levan is a fantastic character, and much as I understand Saffron's desire to stay loyal to the Silvercloaks, I think her and Levan make a compelling team.

Saffron Killoran is out on a mission of revenge. A student with a dark secret, her heart’s desire is to bring down the Bloodmoons who caused a family tragedy, so when she gets an unexpected chance to go undercover, she seizes it. But it will prove to be more dangerous than she had ever imagined - and she’ll have to get closer than she ever anticipated to their leader’s heir, in a way that won’t just risk her life, but her heart.

Plainly: this is a mafia romance, except with wands and magic and cloaks. The world Steven builds is clever and fascinating and decadent, where experiencing pleasure fills up your well of magic - but pain sharpens it. Steven pushes the boundaries of Saff’s morality in a very believable way and keeps the tension turned up high. Whilst some results are inevitable to the reader, the route is unknown: and also be prepared for some genuine surprises. An excellently crafted genre-mash up that I predict is going to be extremely popular.

P.S. down with comps to HP let’s stop doing that and this doesn’t fit anyway

ARC Review – Silvercloak by LK Stevens - contains some spoilers


Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Genre: Fantasy Romance | Tropes: Undercover infiltration, enemies-to-lovers, tortured love interest

Saffron, a determined operative of the Silvercloaks, is tasked with a dangerous mission: infiltrate the notorious Bloodmoon gang and uncover their long-guarded secrets. As she delves deeper into the underworld, she must blur moral lines, question her loyalties, and grapple with a magic system fuelled by pleasure and pain.

This book has a lot going for it—gritty atmosphere, morally grey decisions, and a unique take on magic. I was particularly impressed by the more gruesome scenes, which were written with vivid intensity and didn’t shy away from the harsh realities of Saffron’s situation. I also really liked the concept of magic being fuelled through physical and emotional sensations, and the idea that different characters have affinities for different types of energy was fascinating.

However, the execution didn’t quite grip me. I found it slow to get through, and at times, I struggled to stay fully invested. The pleasure/pain theme, while unique, felt a bit heavy-handed and at times predictable, which undercut the tension in both the plot and the romance.

Saffron as a protagonist was a mixed bag. While I appreciated her inner conflict and the weight of the choices she had to make, her arrogance and immaturity in certain moments made it hard for me to fully connect with her. It also felt like she took far too long to realise the nature of her powers, especially given what’s hinted at early on.

Levan, the love interest, unfortunately lacked depth for me. The tortured boy trope was present but didn’t feel fleshed out, and I would’ve loved to see this explored more—possibly through a multi-POV format. Some emotional beats felt rushed, and key moments could have benefitted from more time and care.

The romance, which leans on the enemies-to-lovers trope, didn’t land as strongly as I hoped. The magical dynamic between Saffron and Levan made the relationship feel more transactional than emotionally compelling, and despite attempts to build a deeper connection, it didn’t quite deliver the spark or tension I wanted.

Overall, Silvercloak has some intriguing ideas and darker tones that fans of gritty fantasy may enjoy, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I wanted to love it more than I did, and while I appreciate the ARC, I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series.

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

4.5⭐

This was such a gripping read, I loved how from the start the writing completely pulls you in and keeps you engaged throughout. The world building is exceptional with all the descriptions and details and I really enjoyed how everything was so easy to understand.

It has such a unique story, well thought out and developed characters and plot. The enemies to lovers in this book was so good and I was living for every interaction between them, I'm so excited for the next book especially after that last line! Highly recommend

i knew from the moment this book showed up on my radar that i would really like it, it was just a matter of how much. the answer is A LOT.

this book had my jaw dropping with everything that was going on and all the reveals and plot twists? broke my brain. the last few chapters basically had me on the edge of my seat and the epilogue made me fall to the floor. LITERAL CHILLS. my anticipation for the sequel is absolutely through the roof like i legitimately don’t think i can wait for an entire year to find out where the story is going to go??

there’s much to talk about in terms of the characters as well. i was a fan of both of them honestly and the way the chemistry between them was built up? phenomenal. the entire book felt very high stakes and a lot of that reflected in the way the characters interacted with each other as well. since they’re essentially working for opposites sides, i would consider this enemies to lovers or at least something very close to it. the two of them don’t trust each other at all but are forced to in certain situations and also hate the side the other stands for.

i will say overall, i highly recommend picking this up when it releases!

This book sounded like it had everything I look for in a good fantasy book, in-depth world building, an interesting and unique magic system, a character with a gripping back story; and it did! But I also had to DNF this book at the 33% mark because I found it was so boring it was putting me to sleep, the characters seemed baseless and uninspired. The magic system didn't play as a big a role as I would have liked or expected considering that that was the selling point being used in the blurb and the tag line for the book, and overall this book felt like it should have gone through another couple rounds of revises and edits to the actual story because the pace seemed off. It started out super quick and captivating but a third of the way in I felt like I was having to force myself to pick it up, and found myself battling with pushing through or DNFing it. I'm sorry to say that although this book has everything I should love in a book, this one just wasn't for me.

The second of Laura Steven’s releases this year, this is her adult fantasy debut. You can definitely tell that this is written by an experienced author. I think it takes quite a lot of bravery now to release a book with magic that uses wands in a similar fashion to HP, but I am totally here for it! I love magic and wands and I want to see more of it in new releases.
This errs slightly more on the side of romantic fantasy than epic fantasy, it’s a tale of Saffron Killoran whose parents were killed as a child by a gang known as the Bloodmoons. She wants revenge and so trains as a Silvercloak, the equivalent of a magical detective, to bring them down. She lied her way into the Silvercloak academy, and just before she graduates is found out. The only way out of the mess she’s created is to go undercover within the Bloodmoons, which means acting like a Bloodmoon and all of the sadistic acts they undertake. She is prophesied to kiss and then kill the kingpins son which hangs over her the entire time she’s undercover.
I initially thought that the stakes of this book were a bit too low; I prefer my fantasy books to be epic in scale and saving the world type rather than undercover detective. HOWEVER, by the time I finished the book I can see that the author is just laying the groundwork for a much more expansive plot with much bigger stakes and consequences in the rest of the trilogy. She has put so much thought into the worldbuilding and it shows. The magic system is based on pleasure and pain, which is such an interesting idea. LK Steven has really thought about the impact that a magic system like that would have on the culture of a world and the consequences of using either type of magic. I can really see people becoming obsessed with this series. Saffron is under so much stress throughout the story you can tell she’s making erratic decisions that don’t make sense. So she’s entirely realistic as a human being which makes the annoyance with most of those decisions forgivable.
Whilst I think some people might write this off as another romantasy book, I urge you not to. I can tell that there is so much foreshadowing and that the payoff in books 2 and 3 is going to be epic.

R E V I E W

Silvercloak by L.K. Steven

☆☆☆☆☆

Advanced Reader Copy graciously provided by Random House UK, Cornerstone | Del Rey via Netgalley

I entered into this fantasy phenomenon completely blind, having no clue what the story was about or that this author is the very same to have penned the recently published 'Our Infinite Fates' which seems to be garnering a lot of praise at the moment.

Having now read Silvercloak and been exposed firsthand to Stevens' stunning prose, imaginative world-building, and addictive romantic storytelling, I can say with certainty that I will definitely be reading more of her backlist.

Silvercloak is an impressively imagined story set in a world where mages rule, each gifted with a specialism fueled only by pain (for quality) or pleasure (for quantity). In a world where vice and sin are currency, the city of Atherin's elite Silvercloak detectives work to ensure dark mages never prosper.

This story begins when young mage Saffron Killoran's parents are ruthlessly murdered by a brutal gang of dark mages; the Bloodmoons. Hellbent on retribution, Saffron works tirelessly for two decades to become a Silvercloak, only to fail at the final hurdle. But all hope is not lost when Saffron is offered the chance of a lifetime, something that could prove more fruitful to her vendetta than serving amongst the Silvercloak: a chance to infiltrate the Bloodmoons, to go undercover and decimate them from within.

Fuelled by her quest for revenge, Saffron soon realises that taking down this bloodthirsty organisation is not going to be plain sailing and that if she truly wants to bring them to their knees, she might just have to darken her own soul to do it. Immersed in a cutthroat gang where torture and murder lay at the tip of a wand, Saffron finds herself doing things she never thought capable and with an unlikely ally: the Kingpin's son. The one whom she is prophesied to both kiss and kill. But just how far is Saffron willing to go to see her parents' death avenged?

This book was unlike anything else I have ever read, from the magic system itself to how said magic is utilised. Every element is carefully considered within this narrative, from how magic is used to ensure poverty and homelessness are a non-issue to how that same magic can be used to heighten intimate experiences. Silvercloak is a unique fantasy delight, and after that ending and, more importantly, that epilogue, I can't wait to see what happens next.