It was honestly tough to keep this review spoiler-free because Silvercloak is packed with so many twists and intense moments. But wow, this book seriously hooked me from the very first page and didn’t let go. Laura Stevens has created a gripping story full of revenge, betrayal, and impossible choices all set in this wild world where magic is powered by pleasure and pain.

Saffron, our fierce main character, is on a mission to take down the Bloodmoon crime family that destroyed her life years ago. Her journey is full of tension, tough decisions, and moments that really hit hard emotionally.

What I loved most were the complex, morally grey characters who aren’t just good or bad but they’re real and flawed, which made the story feel that much richer. And the slow-burn romance? Absolutely electric. The chemistry had me hooked, especially with all the conflicting loyalties thrown into the mix.

The world-building is fantastic, especially the magic system. I think this might be the first time I’ve read about a magic system where power comes from pleasure and pain. With my allergy meds making my memory a bit foggy I might be wrong. Plus, the political intrigue and plot twists kept me on my toes the whole time.

If you’re into dark fantasy with complex magic, characters who walk the line between hero and villain, and a steamy enemies-to-lovers romance, Silvercloak is a must-read. With its gripping story, perfect pacing, and immersive atmosphere, this book is a standout for fans of romantic fantasy and tales of vengeance.

Thank you to Del Rey for this eARC. The magic system in this book is really unique, I loved the concept of filling your well through pleasure (and pain!) and how they live accordingly, indulging in food, the arts and other pleasures to stay powerful. Unfortunately though overall the book didn’t quite hit the mark for me, I wasn’t emotionally invested and found it hard to stay engaged. Loved the undercover/dectective side of it but romance didnt feel very believable or that they had a true connection. The events felt a bit disjointed and to be honest many elements reminded me of another wand wielding series which took me out of the story at times. Loved the magic system and Saff but not quite the book for me

Dnf'd at 17%

Firstly thank you for the opportunity to read this arc, In exchange for an honest review.

Ooooooo I really wanted to like this one especially after reading the blurb.
The magic was lovely, something totally different, but just didn't or enjoy the book itself, I'm so sorry.

I just felt disjointed and confused while reading it. It is such a shame because I honestly wanted to like it but I was pushing myself for 10% and I just can't force myself. Having said that I do know a lot of people that would and will enjoy this book, and I will never and don't like to put people off books if I've not liked them as reading is subjective

I went into this so excited as I love Laura’s work and the premise is so good! And the concept really held up, the way the magic works feels fresh and interesting. We also get to have the fun of the undercover scenario and knowing pretty much everyone has something to hide all the time!

However the first half or so of the book felt a little rushed to get to the action and in places a bit plot-hole-y? I really enjoyed it after Saffron has settled in to the Bloodmoons but there were a couple of times where it all happened a little too easily or felt sort of cliched? And there’s a lot of cool small things in the world building that I’d love to see more of.

Into the second half, there are still a couple of shakier moments but mostly it really picks up and we get to actually know the characters and the organisations Saff is interacting with. I do still have a few questions, especially around motivations, but I am very much looking forward to seeing how it all plays out in book two as there were so many reveals by the end!

The romance is sort of meh - I did like it when they were sort of coming together, but I’m not sure I agreed that either of them would have got there - especially with what we end up learning!

It’s difficult because I did enjoy the book and maybe was let down by high expectations, but I’ve been seeing everyone raving and that’s just not where I was with it sadly. I am still giving it 3.5 stars cause it does a great job of being a specific sort of magical society that I’ve not read a lot of recently, and I definitely missed that; and because I do really still want the next book.

Silvercloak is an adult fantasy with a really intriguing magic system, messy character dynamics, and a world that definitely has potential.

I loved the idea of magic being fuelled by pain and restored by pleasure. It’s such a unique concept and brings something fresh to the genre! I just wish it had been explored more, although that might happen in the next book.

The world-building had its moments, too. There are glimpses of other regions and tensions that I’d love to see more of in future books. But I’ll be honest, some parts reminded me so strongly of other fantasy series (Ahem... Harry Potter) that I found it a bit distracting. It sometimes felt more familiar than original.

The pacing felt uneven and a little all over the place. The beginning was slow, and I kept waiting for things to really kick off. It especially slowed down towards the middle and then REALLY picked up towards the end. I’m definitely curious where the story will go from here, but I think I expected more to happen early on.

I was also a little underwhelmed by the
romance. I love an enemies-to-lovers romance, but I didn’t really feel the tension or conflict between Saffron and Levan in the beginning. He was very sweet from the start, which made their dynamic feel more flat than fiery. I wanted more spark there, too.

Still, I didn’t have a bad time reading this. It was entertaining, and I think there’s room for this series to grow into something stronger. Given that things got more interesting towards the end, I'll definitely be picking up the next book.

For now, this was a 3.5 star read for me. It was a solid start, but I wanted just a little more.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. - Freya, arc & monthly book box pick reviewer

Years ago, Saf's parents were murdered in their home, but they had hidden Saf when the assassins came. Unfortunately, she witnessed their murder through a hole, though. She goes to a magic school to learn about magic and later on joins the Silvercloaks, an elite academy of magical forces of sorts. Think of them as magical detectives. But some of Saf's secrets are discovered and she has to make a choice which came to be to infiltrate the Bloodmoons, which are like magical criminals. She gets close to the kingpin's son and well, secrets, betrayals, lies, bloody scenes follow.

This is one of the most hyped books of the year, and I was so excited to read it. However, it wasn't for me.

Oh my, okay, let's start positive! Silvercloak has a cool worldbuilding!! Mages use wands!! I have missed the usage of wands! It has clear rules, too. It depends on pain and pleasure, as in mages get their power from pain and pleasure, and those ofc manifest in different ways. Some find pleasure in music, others in chocolate, etc. I also liked how their spells use a prefix, and that prefix indicates if the intentions are good or bad, for example.

However, there are quite a few not so positive things. First of all, there is one instance in the text where it described a character's eyes as sl@nted. Since this description is commonly known as a slur, I wish that those eyes were described with a different word choice. Secondly, I didn't like the motivation behind the Bloodmoons' actions. When it was revealed, I raised my eyebrows and thought, "what, is that it?" It doesn't make much sense to me. Thirdly, we learn something about Levan (the kingpin's son) which makes him even crueler. On the one side, they are really enemies. On the other side, no, thank you. Furthermore, I would roll my eyes less if I didn't see Saf talk about Levan's endless magic all the time. This is becoming like a pile-up but I didn't like the ending, either. For me, that's a cop-out. And lastly, for someone who infiltrated a very brutal criminal organization, she could talk her way out of her problems quite easily.

I am sorry to say that this wasn't for me, and I wish that eye description gets deleted at the next printing if it is not already removed in the finished copy. If it is deleted, then I'd recommend it to readers who like wands and cool magic systems.

I devoured this book.

From the very first page, I was hooked, heart racing, breath held, completely sucked into a world where magic is fuelled by pleasure and pain (yes, it’s as intense and twisted as it sounds). The concept alone is wildly addictive, but what really grabbed me was Saffron: obsessive, furious, brilliant, and spiraling ever deeper into the very darkness she swore to destroy.

The world L.K. Steven has built is gritty, sensual, and dangerous - magic laced with pain, politics, and power games. Add in rival gangs, black-market spells, and a slow burn romance with the kingpin’s tortured son (hello, emotional chaos), and I was all in. Their dynamic? Tense, tragic, and soaked in prophecy - literally.

And the epilogue? I still haven’t recovered. I don’t want to spoil it, but it was absolute perfection - haunting, satisfying, and full of shock.

If you love morally grey characters, undercover missions that spiral into emotional ruin, and fantasy worlds that feel both seductive and deadly, you need this book.

Seriously. Send help. Or the next book. Preferably both.

Thank you to the team at Delrey for gifting me this proof copy for review.

From the moment I first heard about Silvercloak, I knew I would love this book. A new wizard-type book, but for adults where they are already magically trained and going on to their adult magical jobs? …. Yes please! Sign me up! Honestly I don’t know what kind of crack LK Steven wove into this book, but right from the very first chapter, I was hooked and knew this would be the easiest 5-star rating I’ve given this year. Spoiler Alert: It was!

Silvercloak follows the story of Saff, a mage whose parents were tragically murdered when she was a young child. She saw the savage Bloodmoons, the underground criminal network of evil mages, killing them. Ever since that day Saff has been determined to train and join the elite Silvercloaks, this world’s magical enforcement to help protect and save people. When her long time deception is discovered, Saff is given the chance to go undercover and join the Bloodmoons… as a double agent.

Honestly, right from the very first chapter of this book, I was absolutely hooked! I absolutely flew through this book, I honestly couldn’t put it down at all. I’m in love with this world, where pleasure and pain fuels magic. We’ve all read books about mages/wizards before, but I felt like the pleasure/pain aspect put a really new twist onto it. It was dark and gritty in the very best way. We are hit with the hard hitting topics such as parental death right from the start, but it fuels Saff’s entire journey and I absolutely loved that.

I’ve seen Silvercloak dubbed the new Romantasy series but I personally disagree with this. While there is some romance in this, the main focus of the book is definitely the plot of bringing down the Bloodmoon’s and Saff finding out the ins and outs of this group. There is a hint of some enemies to lovers romance in there, which is delightful for any fan of this trope, but it’s definitely not the main focus of this book. Which for me, was a definite plus. While I do like a romantasy book, romantic fantasy is my preference, as I prefer the plot to be the main focus and that’s definitely what was happening here. Honestly when the romance first started kicking off, I personally wasn’t bothered by it and didn’t really feel it, as I was so invested in the storyline. By the end, I was definitely rooting for the two main characters though, so it’s a bit of a slow burn for me.

Silvercloak was honestly such an excellent fantasy book. It had everything that you could have wanted. Intrigue in terms of the criminal underbelly of the city, Saff’s history and her coming to grips that not all of the Bloodmoon’s are necessarily 100% evil. There’s a hint of romance and lots and lots of action packed magical fighting scenes. (I originally typed wand-fighting scenes but that sounds rude and I don’t want to give you the wrong idea of what this book is!). I loved every single moment of it, and that ending has absolutely killed me off! While I guessed most of the twists early on, that cliffhanger ending left me reeling. I absolutely cannot wait for book 2. Someone tell me how to bribe Laura into being an early beta reader for her. I need it!

Silvercloak is the magical book we have all been waiting for. It was everything I possibly could have wanted and more. If there is only one fantasy romance release you are going to buy this year, make sure it is this one and it was an absolute magical masterpiece. LK Steven has once again cemented herself on my favourite authors of all time list. There is nothing this woman can’t write! Pick this one up as soon as possible… I promise you won’t be disappointed.

I’m grateful to have been given the chance to read Silvercloak ahead of its publication. The novel is an entertaining fantasy that, while enjoyable, struggles to find its own voice at times. It borrows heavily from established works — most notably Harry Potter — to the point where some elements feel more imitative than inspired. From the "Eldin Wand" to artifacts like "The Enchanted Necklace" and "the Gilded Hand," many moments echoed J.K. Rowling’s universe a little too closely, making it difficult not to draw constant comparisons.

The pacing is consistent, which kept the pages turning, but not a lot actually happens until the final third of the book. For a story with high-stakes magic and political intrigue, much of the narrative feels like setup without sufficient payoff early on.

One of the biggest letdowns for me was the "enemies-to-lovers" angle. The main male character was far too sweet and accommodating from the beginning, which made it hard to buy into the idea that there was ever true enmity between the leads. The tension that usually drives this trope just wasn’t there.

The magic system — based on the intriguing idea that pain and pleasure fuel power — had real potential, but it felt underused or oddly placed in the scenes where it did appear. It never fully integrated into the worldbuilding or plot in a satisfying way.

That said, Silvercloak does have charm, and there’s enough promise in the world and characters to keep me reading. It's an easy, entertaining read — just not one that breaks new ground in the genre.

This review reflects my personal experience and perspective. Every reader brings their own tastes and expectations to a book, so while these were my honest impressions, others may feel differently and find more to connect with in Silvercloak. I encourage anyone interested in the genre to give it a try and see how it resonates with them.

In a world where a mage’s well of magic is refilled by pleasure and spells are intensified by pain, Saffron must bring the corrupt group, known as the Bloodmoons, down from within. Fuelled by grief and rage, Saff seizes an opportunity for revenge that has been two decades in the making.

Unsurprisingly, what makes Silvercloak really stand out is the pleasure/pain based magic system. Exploring the dynamics made this such a fun read and I was pleasantly surprised as it continued to expand as the story unfolded. This magic system formed the foundations of a dark and seductive world that is interspersed with just the right amount of wonder and whimsy. My only grievance is that, while lending an air of nostalgia, at times, the world felt slightly too reminiscent of Harry Potter.

I did find the first 40% more challenging to read as details were reiterated continually and there was little room for the reader to interpret details themself. Often we were told rather than shown how characters were feeling etc and circling back to details the reader should pick up on time and time again really slowed the momentum of the early plot. On the other hand, this may make this book more accessible to newer readers to the high fantasy genre.

For the next 60% I must say, I became absolutely hooked. Once Saff infiltrated the Bloodmoons and the stakes continued to rise, I could not put this book down. I particularly loved Levan, the son to the leader of the Bloodmoons. He quickly became my favourite character with his contradictory traits and mystery. I became particularly invested in the romantic subplot and loved the softer moments between Saff and Levan. Frankly, I’ll admit Levan stole my heart.

I was absolutely glued to the end of this book. With such an explosive last 100 pages, I need book 2 yesterday.

This book kept me up way beyond my bedtime! Saff is a Silvercloak, a mage detective. She is sent deep undercover to infiltrate the Bloodmoons, a vicious criminal gang with a tight grip on the city. There she meets Levan, the kingpin's son, a man who she grows close to, all the while knowing of a prophecy which shows her killing him. This was a fantastic read. Anxiety inducing, but fantastic! It had me on the edge of my seat at times as I wondered if Saff was going to be discovered. And as for the half page epilogue...Well let's just say, book two cannot come soon enough!

“𝐎𝐡, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧.”

I didn’t just read Silvercloak—I devoured it, just like I did with Our Infinite Fates. At this point, it’s safe to say that I’m a Laura Steven fan through and through. If you love your fantasy epic and emotionally charged, with just the right mix of romance, betrayal, and high-stakes magic, this one delivers. The magic system is clever and immersive—I’m still debating which mage order I’d belong to (Timeweaver? Necromancer? Hoping for these 100%)! 🧙🏻‍♀️

the vibes ™:
- betrayal / undercover mission
- prophecies
- unique magic system
- enemies to lovers
- queer representation
- so much more!

From the very first chapters, Silvercloak had me completely hooked. We're plunged straight into the action as Saffron and her Silvercloak cohort embark on their final test mission before graduating from the academy. Interwoven with this present-day storyline is a glimpse into Saffron’s childhood—particularly the pivotal moment that changed the course of her life. Both timelines raise intriguing questions, and I found myself compelled to keep reading just to uncover how everything fits together.

One of the strongest elements of the book is its focus on character relationships, especially the shifting dynamic between Saffron and Levan. Their bond is complicated, messy, and deeply human, and I’m eager to see how it develops after the events that unfold at the end of Silvercloak. Neither character is perfect, they make flawed, sometimes frustrating choices, but given the trauma they both carry, it wouldn't feel real if they didn’t. Their emotional depth adds a lot of weight to the narrative.

The magic system is another standout. It’s rooted in both pleasure and pain, a concept I’ve personally never seen explored in fantasy, and it gives the story a fresh, visceral edge. I’m also fascinated by the hints we get about other countries and cultures within this world. There’s so much potential for expansion, and I’m hoping future books delve deeper into these regions and their unique ways of life.

Thank you to Del Rey and Netgalley for this eARC to review.

Silvercloak is a dark and gripping fantasy debut that follows Saffron Killoran, an orphan-turned-spy who infiltrates the cult that destroyed her family. Set in a lush world where magic feeds on both pleasure and pain, the story combines high-stakes espionage with a slow-burning, enemies-to-lovers romance. The unique magic system, morally grey characters, and constant tension keep the plot engaging and unpredictable.

While the sensual elements and darker themes won’t suit all readers, fans of Fourth Wing and A Court of Thorns and Roses will appreciate the seductive danger, emotional complexity, and rich world-building. It’s a bold, twisty read full of secrets, betrayal, and power plays—perfect for romantasy lovers looking for something sharp, sexy, and unafraid to get messy.

I loved this adult high fantasy story!! A fresh concept where magic in this world is powered by pleasure and pain, almost like a currency.
Saffron is a talented mage graduating from detective school, on her way to being appointed as a Silvercloak. Atherin is tainted by organised crime: the Bloodmoons. Her parents were killed when she was a child, and everything she does is to avenge them. When the opportunity comes to infiltrate this powerful enemy and bring it down from within, she does not hesitate - until she falls for Levan, the kingpin’s son. Their intimacy and growing fondness for each other is written so well, without it being the focus of the story at all. Their storylines weave together, culminating in a heartwrenching final chapter. I hope we get to explore more of the other characters’ pasts in the next installment, as well as a deeper world building.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the advance copy.

I'm no stranger to Laura Steven's other books - Our Infinite Fates was also a book I managed to get an ARC copy of and DEVOURED, and this book is no different. Steven is such a strong writer and she is able to adapt herself and her writing into any subgenre she throws herself into.

This book had the most magnificent unique magic system based on pleasure and pain, which was written and demonstrated so well in the harrowing first chapter. I haven't ever seen a magic system like this before (other than Fall of Ruin and Wrath by J L Armentrout, but there was much more of a focus on pleasure and no pain whatsoever), and so I ate it up entirely and finished this book in two sittings, and only because I had to stop to actually sleep at 3am in the morning. I would say that this book did read a lot like the series that shall not be named, and perhaps if the romance/spice wasn't as much of a focus it could be sellable as a YA book.

Our FMC, Saffron - or Saff, a Silvercloak who goes undercover as a Bloodmoon. It's a mafia-esque romantasy with a delicious enemies-to-lovers romance between Saff and Levan. Levan is the classic morally grey bad guy, and is so easy to fall for. I love a man that loves books and tea. There was good queer representation in this book, and the side characters were also quite easy to love and featured a good balance of flaws.

The ending of this book left me reeling in such a way that I cannot stop thinking about it. I need the next instalment now. The only caveat to ARC reading is knowing that you have to wait extra time to get your hands on the next one. Overall, this is a good romantasy book written by someone who continues to impress me with the breadth of their abilities.

Well.

Firstly, I'd like to say that this book ruined me a little bit. I didn't expect it until the epilogue and now I will be loudly anticipating the next book and this one isn't even out yet!

Silvercloak follows Saff, a prospective Silvercloak (magickal detective, sort of), from her final exam at the academy and all that fateful day leads to. Her forged documents land her a dangerous undercover assignment, and while I knew from the outset that this assignment was not going to be easy and was not going to end the way she thought, I still held onto that little prophecy just like she did. (Saff clearly has read enough fanatasy books to know that prophecies are often misleading!)

Saff's first meeting with Levan (is it Lev-ANNE or Lev-uhn???) sets the stage for a banter filled relationship, and while they're 'technically' enemies, its clear from the outset that he isn't the evil guy she thinks he is and i absolutely loved it. Finding out he was the Ascenfall equivalent of a comiccon nerd with his love of the Lost Dragonborn book series literally made me grin like an idiot.

Their relationship developed really well over the course of the book. I liked the fact that they both had outside interests because it meant they really did fight what was between them (until the necklace scene when I screamed because how perfect an arc from the front door). And when they finally got together it was with all the agony of knowing Saff was going to betray him, and that he'd already gone through something so similar. Such a soft-hearted 'villain,' Levan. My favourite kind.

The final few scenes, the twists of the compeller, of the re-writing of fate, all came together so well. While I'd guessed at Saff being a Timeweaver, I was still happy when she realised it herself, and when she used it to undo her betrayal, I loved that too. Not sure I'm on board with her going back to being six and fixing everything, but these fantasy heroes do love to be a bit dramatic about things.

The epilogue was brutal in the best kind of way and sets the next book up so well I'm probably going to combust with excitement.

Overall, the magick system was just stunning. Such a unique was of working things, and I loved the way pleasure and pain were used throughout. I also really loved how Saff kept wanting to get back to her plumper body that she loved from all the good food she ate for pleasure. Such a small thing but please, more positive body rep in fantasy books for me. On top of this, Nissa's endo rep was so lovely to so, and so well done. I also LOVED that everyone was pansexual. Basically, the book was incredibly responisble in its rep and we need more of that.

I would rate this book more than 5 stars but apparently I'm not allowed. Going to order one of the lovely special editions now because I'm probably never going to get over it if I don't.

Hello I LOVE this!!!! I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book but I actually loved this book so so much, this is my first book by this author because I still haven't read Our Infinite Fates yet and I loved it. It was a high action fantasy that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through

I really liked the magic system in this book. People's magic is refuelled by both pleasure and pain. The world is really thought out, the days of the week and the months are all named after things in this world Laura has created and I really enjoy that. It's little details like that, that make a fantasy world come to life for me.

I liked Saffron as a main character. She has a lot of trauma and she isn't perfect but she was great to read about. I can't say she's my favourite character ever, but I find her more memorable than some other characters for sure. The kingpin's son was interesting to read about, it took me awhile to make sense of him. In the end I liked him a lot!

The book had a trope I usually dislike, but it was done really well this time so I actually liked it for once. Throughout the whole book we got hints of where the story was going, so it wasn't really a surprise. But I still did like the ending a lot. Even better, that last sentence!!! I'm really excited for the sequel, hopefully we won't have to wait too long.

This book wasn't the most memorable fantasy I ever read, and the romance was a bit predictable and 'easy' but overall I really enjoyed the story. It had some good characters, an interesting magic system and fantasy world, some cool plot twists and an ending that has me craving more. I guess I should read my other Laura Steven book soon ;)

I was honestly so excited for Steven’s adult debut - I love her writing, how emotional it is, and I hoped that moving into adult storytelling would push it the little extra bit I was craving.
Unfortunately, I didn’t love this as much as I had hoped.

The plot set up was promising and intriguing - a mage with hidden (and forbidden) powers goes undercover to take down the big bad magical mafia? Sounds fun! Count me in!
She falls helplessly in love with the mafia heir? Double yes!

But somehow, this mostly fell short for me.
I know building a magical world is always going to pull on tried and tested formulas, but this seemed to lean too much on The-Book-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named. And we could’ve had magical schools and wands and a Big Evil without it all sounding a tad too familiar…
Side characters in particular seemed quite one dimensional, and I’d love to see a bit more development on that side as well.

Bypassing that, the book was entertaining, very fast paced, I was never bored and kept wanting to pick it back up. I love Steven’s writing, even if at times it got a bit repetitive when trying to emphasise some plot points or emotional turmoil, and I think there might have been quite a lot of clues for things to come sprinkled throughout this first book (looking in particular to understand why some people do magic so differently…).

The ending made me want to continue reading… I won’t spoil anything here, but I expect a lot of angst, double crossings, and horrible betrayals to come up in the sequel, and I am actually quite excited to read it!

— Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own and reflect my honest reactions. —