“𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨. 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙞 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙞 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙪𝙨, 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙞 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙. 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞 𝙢𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙞’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙞 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪”

sophia dewinter has spent her life under the control of her ruthless uncle, known only as the collector. bound to him by a blood oath since childhood, she’s been desperate for freedom. so when word spreads of killmarth - an elite academy for powerful magic users untouched by the collector’s reach - she takes a chance

but nothing at killmarth is easy. students must survive the deadly and brutal ordeals just to earn a place… and someone is picking them off one by one. with no idea who she can trust, sophia might have to rely on a powerful, brooding wielder named alden locke - but how do you know if someone is a friend, an enemy, or something even more dangerous?

okay so this was such a fun read! there’s a touch of magic, werewolves, and a lot of friendship - aka one of my favourite combos. i wasn’t sure at first if i’d enjoy it because the beginning felt a little slow, but once the plot started moving, i was hooked

sophia is a fierce, clever hunter who knows how to fight and think her way through the ordeals, which gave her a bit of an edge. and then there’s alden… we meet him pretty early on and omg the chemistry between them?? unmissable. i’m like 98% sure he fell first 🤭

i really loved how their connection grew - it’s not quite enemies to lovers, but there’s tension, miscommunication, and just the right amount of angst to keep you turning pages

also, seeing sophia finally find a place where she belongs? it made my heart soft. she’s spent so long isolated and afraid, so watching her form friendships (and fall in love) was genuinely sweet and satisfying

the trials were a major highlight too. they were well thought out, intense, and each one brought something new. the stakes felt real

if i had one tiny critique, it’s that the ending felt a bit rushed. i wanted just a little more time to sit with everything that happened

“𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙖 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙚𝙩 𝙞 𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙮𝙤𝙪. 𝙞’𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙…”

4.5 ⭐

- Trials
- Dark academia
- Rivals to lovers
- Magic
- Found family
- Mystery

I was absolutely hooked by this book! It definitely gives The Scholomance vibes, and if you're a fan of dark academia, then this is one to try. There's a secondary inspiration, but I don't want to spoil that little reveal!

I loved Sophie DeWinter as our main character, she was competent but also had a lot to learn. You get to see her grow and evolve, which is much more preferable to the MC who is young but already amazing at everything. Plus, I cannot wait to learn more about her - there are unanswered questions about her history I want to know!

I completely fell for the love interest, Alden, who is also sort of a rival as they are both competing to join this academic institution. Now, it's not a slow burn, and there's an attraction from the start, but it's not all consuming or the main plot of the story. It's actually a very sweet romance that burns in the background in a place where students are pitted against each other.

I really enjoyed the world that was created. It's not modern day, but cars, trains and telephones exist. You gain a broad understanding of the world throughout the book, but there is more to learn and more secrets to uncover.

I actually can't wait to read the next book, I really need to know what happens next! I've been left with questions I need answered!

Thanks to Net Galley & HQ for this ARC.

What a debut !!! I inhaled this book in a day - The story is about Sophia, who’s stuck in a rough situation with her uncle and has to get into this magical school, Killmarth, to break free. But to get in, she has to survive these really tough trials called The Ordeals, and honestly, not everyone makes it.

What I liked a lot was the magic system—it’s different from a lot of other fantasy books. There are different types of magic users like illusionists, botanists, and alchemists, and each one has its own cool abilities. Plus, the world has werewolves, vampires, and gargoyles, which made things way more interesting.

Sophia’s awesome—she’s smart, strong, and doesn’t give up. And Alden? He’s such a great male character, honestly full of green flags. He’s not just some brooding guy; he’s thoughtful, strategic, and really cares about the people around him. Their slow-burn romance felt natural, with all the tension and trust issues that come with being rivals first. The only thing i will say is that fact that they are only 16 years old in the book was just a total offput for me and a bit icky - but this was quickly rectified with me just pretending they were a bit older haha

The whole book has this dark, moody vibe that fits perfectly with the dangerous trials and all the secrets at the school. I couldn’t stop reading, and there were some twists that totally surprised me. Cant explain what it was exactly about this book but it gave me an almost nostalgic feeling. I read Harry Potter & Hunger Games when they first came out (loved them of course) but this definitely gave me the same sort of vibes.

If you like dark academia, magic competitions, and characters who have to fight to survive, this one’s a really good pick. I’m already excited for the next book!
4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 :)

This book is excellent, dark academia, secrets of the past, trials, found family, who do you trust and full buffy vibe vampires.

This gave me the full nostalgia of watching buffy as a young adult, I love the fmc knows her own worth as a person, doesn’t need a man’s protection and it doesn’t feel childish when saying so. The friendship connections were excellent, the romance was well placed and the academia setting was brilliant.

The magic system was unique, splitting into 4 ‘houses’ and types of magic. It’s like the magic vibes of Harry Potter in the ruthlessness of fourth wing, not all students will exit the trials alive.

No shadow daddies in this book, secrets yes, slightly morally grey yes but overall good guy vibes and it worked, it really did.

I could imagine this as an episodic tv show.

Overall excellent YA book which was just such a fun read.

The Ordeals took me by surprise in the most rewarding way. While I anticipated a sweeping fantasy adventure, what I discovered was something far more intimate: a moving exploration of survival, identity, and resilience. Rachel Greenclaw has crafted a story that feels both epic in scope and deeply personal, anchored by a protagonist who faces not only physical challenges, but profound emotional and psychological ones as well.

The pacing is deliberate, unfolding with quiet intensity. Yet at no point did the story lose momentum. Every scene carries weight, and the quieter moments resonate just as strongly as the more dramatic ones. Greenclaw’s prose is both lyrical and grounded—at times introspective, at times visceral—with lines that stopped me in my tracks and others that pulled me effortlessly into the character’s world.

What stood out most to me was the honesty in the depiction of struggle. The protagonist is flawed, complex, and utterly human, and her journey is neither easy nor predictable. That authenticity is what makes the story so compelling. The Ordeals is not simply a tale of endurance, but a beautifully told reckoning with what it means to lose yourself—and to fight to return.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ahead of release!

3.5★

The Ordeals is solid, but not quite standout.

Greenlaw’s writing is confident and often quiet in a good way—measured, thoughtful, emotionally aware. The characters feel real enough, with flaws that matter, and when the book hits the right beats, it works.

It won’t be for everyone, especially if you like faster plots or higher stakes. But if you’re into quiet character-driven stories with emotional payoff, it’s worth your time—even if it doesn’t quite hit full potential.

I had such a great time with this book — it delivered a fantastic blend of murder mystery, fantasy, and slow-burn romance, all wrapped up in a setting that felt like a magical, high-stakes game of Clue. If you’re someone who loves magical academies, hidden secrets, and a touch of danger, this one definitely delivers.

The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, with a well-thought-out magic system and just the right dash of magical creatures to keep things whimsical without losing its darker edge. The mystery kept me guessing, and the tension unfolding alongside the investigation added a layer of suspense that worked really well with the romantic subplot.

Sophia and Alden were the real highlight for me. Both are incredibly well-developed — layered, flawed, and constantly evolving as the story progresses. Watching their relationship grow alongside the unravelling mystery made their bond feel earned and deeply satisfying. Their chemistry is electric, but what makes it so compelling is how emotionally grounded it is.

The ending tied up just enough to feel satisfying, while still leaving a sense of anticipation for what’s to come. It set the stage perfectly for the next instalment without feeling like a cliff-hanger just for the sake of it.

The Ordeals features FMC Sophia DeWinter, who has only known life magically bound to a cruel relative. Killmath College, an elite training academy for magic wielders, seems to be her way out, if only she can gain a place.
The magic system encompasses illusionists, masquiers, botanists, and alchemists. There’s nothing highly distinctive or particularly unique with this, but it works effectively enough.
Fans of dark academia will find the characters here are more interesting and have more depth than can be typical, though the romance is rather insta-love. The pacing is well handled, too.

3.5 ⭐️
This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the initial banter between Alden and Sophia… it had me hooked early on. That spark did dip a bit in the middle for me, but thankfully it picked up again towards the end and wow, what an ending.

The trials themselves were clever, action-packed, and a real highlight. I also loved the magic system. Add in some rich history, unexpected twists and a few well-placed surprises and it kept me turning the pages.

I’ve read a lot of strong romantasy lately, which probably makes me a tougher critic than usual, but this still delivered. I’ll definitely be continuing the series… especially after that ending! 🩸

This was a fast-paced, action-packed novel and was fun to read. I enjoyed the magical trials and the unexpected gruesomeness of them. Greenlaw’s writing is accessible but detailed.

For me, I just struggled to get emotionally invested in the story. I didn’t care for the romance, and unfortunately that was a big focus within the story. I think because it is marketed as enemies to lovers but it’s clear from the start that they are interested in each other, and I didn’t really see them as enemies at all. I also wanted a little more background into this fantasy setting.

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

Many thanks to HQ and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, this u[coming contribution to the romantasy genre is flat, formulaic, and cringe-worthy at best. The premise of this novel promises a magical revamp of Divergent/Hunger Games, with four different types of magic (wielders) and different stages of cut-throat tasks (ordeals) against a dark academia backdrop. While the structure itself definitely has potential, there is no amount of rescuing to be done for the bland characterisation, plot without style or substance, and the heavy resting on predictable tropes and plays we come to expect from this genre.

The main character and her love interest get together in essentially the first chapter, making the "slow burn" painfully uninteresting and overwrought. The whole novel seems to revolve around their relationship, and yet culminates in almost unreadable s*x scenes and soppy sentimentality that feels extortionate and odd given the novel's pacing and the characters' actual relationship - a lot of tell not show.

Suspension of disbelief is pushed to its absolute limit - we have phones, cars, "tight fitting sports leggings", and running shoes, jarring alongside steam trains, an archaic magic system, and Gods. Not only does something feel off epoque-wise, lending a seriously anachronistic flavour from the get go, but the writer also feels the need to incorporate werewolves and vampires into a magic world and system that had little to no explanation in the first place. There seems to have been very little thought put into not only the logistics, but also the look and feel, of the world-building around the plot, at the expense of getting to the "ordeals", spice scenes, and overdone romantasy tropes which are clearly from where this novel originates.

The main character, Sophia deWinter, is our (first-person, present tense...) narrator, and it is a real struggle to care about anything that happens to her. A traumatic event occurs to her in one of the first chapters which becomes the basis of Sophia's entire motivation and drive - and yet the event itself, and the person to whom it relates, barely has one scene in the book, meaning we have to rely on the author to keep reminding us of just how painful and awful this trauma is, without any real evidence or feeling to match.

I usually read fantasy as a respite from heavier fiction, and do not rate these contrasting genres from the same perspective - fantasy, for me, is an escape, and even less well-written fantasy books have a place somewhere in my reading (usually on holiday!) This unfortunately was so poorly written, that it clouds the whole experience of the novel, providing neither stimulation nor escape.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, it’s 5 stars.

MY HEART! The caps are so necessary just to be clear. I cannot fathom that ending, the false security the author led me into, god I’m a fool. I cried.

Let’s talk about the little side romance plot that unfolds during this because it was fun, the innuendos and banter until they succumbed to their feelings, very hot. The friendships and alliances made are not to be underestimated, the side characters were actually vital for my enjoyment to be honest. I don’t often say the side characters feel that pivotal, but they were a real highlight in this and they compliment our main characters very well.

The magic system is intriguing mixed with the somewhat lawless nature of the world we’re navigating and the political conflicts between different groups of people. The FMC deserves a round of applause because she dealt with so much turmoil and hardship while experiencing a new environment and literally horror at every turn. The Ordeals will keep you on your toes, you won’t know who to trust and whats around the corner of every page, it has been a real good time I highly recommend reading this book.

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

I’ve previously read The Woodsmoke Women’s Book of Spells by Rachel Greenlaw and enjoyed her atmospheric lyrical writing. I was really looking forward to seeing Rachel’s take on a romantasy. The premise of an elite magical academy for magic wielders with brutal trials really peaked my interest and I was excited to read and review early.

Unfortunately my first thoughts are that this should have been a YA book (the spice removed and marketed as such) as I was left wanting more when it comes to adult fantasy/romantasy. It did not hit the spot for the angst and yearning that was promised and the characters read as so much younger than they were, Sophia’s internal thoughts were rather immature as were some of the romantic interactions.There were however some funny and enjoyable moments between Sophia and the MMC Alden so I cannot completely dismiss the romantic pairing.

As well as being advertised as a romantasy, a slow burn romance was also promised. I guess I have a different idea of what a slow burn is as the main characters were kissing in the first chapter, and the attraction was pretty instant. Again I feel that the promotion of this book just set off very different expectations.

As experienced in her previous novel, Greenlaw is a fantastic writer when it comes to creating atmosphere and I could really imagine the location of Killmoor - which is clearly a nod to St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall. This setting added to the mystery and the magic of the story and her prose and descriptive language was a highlight.

This was a pretty quick and fast paced read, but there were elements of the story that really could have done with some more development. The character of “the collector” needed more fleshing out. It wasn’t really clear what he did, other than being described as a bad man. I wanted more information about him and what made him so evil. Seeing as Sophia’s whole backstory is about the deal that she made with him and the job that she endures under their agreement there just wasn’t enough to this part of the story.

The Ordeals (trials) created a tense and suspenseful plot, in order to gain a coveted place at Killmoor, the prospective students had to work together to survive possible deadly trials. The magic system comprised of different types of wielders; Illusionists, botanists, alchemists and masquers giving different students an edge as it came to the different trials. Whilst this was an intriguing magical system I did again feel that it could have been developed further.

Possible spoiler regarding plot below:

Killmoor, the elite magical school was the biggest draw for me in wanting to read this book, I thought this was going to be a story about Sophia gaining a place in the school, learning and honing her magic, but it was clear that this was taking a different turn with the hints about vampires. It turned into a take on Buffy the Vampire Slayer with magic and I just wasn’t sold on this storyline, and found myself really losing interest towards the end.

In summary I think a lot of my gripes came from the expectations I had for both plot and the romance and perhaps if this had been marketed differently I would have enjoyed it more.

I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ publishing for the early digital ARC of The Ordeals by Rachel Greenlaw

Firstly this book is as so different from the usually chosen one trope , it was intense from the very beginning making you hate a character for their actions towards a child .

I adored the banter, the sizzling romance of will they won’t they. Alden was a great character damaged by his birthright and the trauma of his father’s demise. Keep secrets so deadly , knowing what’s going on but not being able to ask for help excellent character development.

Sophia now she’s a heroine I can get behind , orphaned…,Trained to hunt barter use herself as the chip to get why she wants. Makes me want to wear more red lipstick .slick cool and strong

Side characters how could you is all I’ll say my wee heart is broken .

The twisty turns make you read faster . The ordeals themselves are very different from other books with trials Magic system , story building and unique setting all very intriguing.

Next book please I’m waiting.

Thank you HQ and NetGalley for the arc I was so excited when I got approved I have already got it preordered

What can I say woo I couldn’t put it down what I loved well basically everything I loved the characters the plot the spice in it very fast paced (which I loved)

The story is a romantasy dark academia vampires werewolves magical system world building action from the get go everything you want and the end it does end up in cliffhanger I need book 2 straight away lol

4.5 stars.

This was so much fun!

- Enemies to lovers
- Academic setting
- Trials
- Interesting magic system
- Werewolves
- Vampires

We follow our fmc Sophia who is bound to her uncle and wants to escape. She finds her way into the tests to join the Killmarth Academy, where she participates in a set of trials called The Ordeals, whilst learning to wield her magic and navigate her relationship with our mmc Alden.

This had a lot of elements I love in a good romantasy book and it was done well, I actually read this all in one day because I was enjoying it so much and had to know how it ended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a stunning book with a good, solid plot and interesting worldbuilding. The character is easy to like and has a lot of problems to deal with!

I loved how the trials were designed, and absolutely adored that romance was the 'side plot'. We got so much more of the story and characters this way. Can't wait to read the second instalment!

I enjoyed this book! Everything from the romance to the plot mysteries were done well and kept me intrigued til the end. On the whole, an interesting world and characters though the ending did feel a little rushed—almost like a cliffhanger for the sake of it, and some of the mystery/world building felt that way too (i.e. we’re training you against Big Bad Threat but like, we’re not gonna tell you fsr bc plot convenience). I’ll probably read book 2.

This book is everything! It has a steamy romance, an amazing magic system, killer trials to enter a magic training school, vampire baddies, a serial killer… it’s a wild ride but one that I am here for every second of!! I could not put this down!!

Old magic. New power. A contest to die for.

This was magnificent. A story and characters that suck you into their world and has you totally invested in them.

Dark academia, magic and monsters.

There had better be a sequel!