This book got me hooked straight away and I was eager to find out more about the FMC, The Collector and Killmarth. I did think some of the plot points/twists were obvious fairly early on, which slowed down my reading pace.

I also would have liked more development of the main friendships and the romance as they felt a bit rushed. It felt like the FMC suddenly had strong feelings or connections to characters rather than showing how this developed over time. This made some of the plot points less impactful as I didn’t care as much as I probably should have.

I did really like the premise and the world so I am interested to see how this series develops.

Side note: I am a massive Buffy fan but it is pretty weird to thank Joss Whedon in the book after all he has done.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and how for the chance to read this book. I have the book as one of my preorders for the end of the year and was nervous to start reading. I was not disappointed. I fell in love with Sophia and the magical world Rachel creates. I can’t wait to read more from Rachel Greenlaw, I love the way she describes the characters and the world building is amazing. You have gained a fan. Expected tropes:
- Dark Academia
- Rivals to Lovers
- Found Family
- Forced Proximity
- Magic Systems

A terrific first novel in the series setting up for the next instalment. The story charts the progress of Sophia De Winter as she goes through the Ordeals, the only way she can find to escape from the Collector that has hitherto controlled her life. She must pass the four ordeals to be accepted at the magic school, or die trying. Will she learn quick enough or will she die trying…

4.5⭐️ 2🌶️

- Dark Academia
- Rivals to Lovers
- Found Family
- Forced Proximity
- Magic Systems

When Sophia hears of Killmarth, an elite academy for magic wielders, she’ll do anything to prove worthy of a place to escape from the sinister Collector to whom she’s been blood-bound since childhood. But to secure her place at the academy, Sophia must first endure the Ordeals – a series of deadly challenges that separate the weak from the powerful. But as the hopeful wielders are picked off one by one, Sophia must swiftly embrace her abilities as an Illusionist and discover who her allies are if she has any chance of joining Killmarth and becoming a scholar. As her feelings grow for her partner Alden Locke, and with the line between enemy and ally so thin, Sophia must figure out who she can trust if she is not only going to succeed but escape the Ordeals with her life.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC.

The Ordeals is an absolutely stunning, whirlwind of a read! There’s no slow-burn that keeps you waiting on the edge of your seat here; this book is a full-on sprint from the very first page until the last. It’s the first book I’ve read by Rachel Greenlaw, and I was captivated by her utterly immersive writing style. The plot is so cleverly woven that it keeps you guessing until the very end, and I genuinely couldn’t put it down!

The world-building is brilliant, reworking familiar tropes and aesthetics into something unique. I loved the inspiration of St Michael’s Mount; the descriptions of Killmarth and Marazia took me right there. I could literally see Marazion and Penzance in my minds eye!

I was invested in the MCs Sophia and Alden from the very start, and loved that they both fall for each other simultaneously sooner rather than later. Their relationship is sweet and not too over-the-top, the perfect blend of charm and romance!

I do think the writing style steers more towards YA/New Adult, but that really didn’t stop me from loving it one bit.

Perfect for fans of dark academia and Fourth Wing, I can already see how popular The Ordeals will be. I will be thinking about *that* ending for some time - I’m still gathering myself back together! It’s the first book in a duology, so I’m already counting down to book 2 to read the conclusion of Sophia’s story. I cannot wait!

I LOVED this book! I give it all the stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

It’s like Harry Potter meets The Hunger Games. Think magical trials, dark secrets, high-stakes challenges, and a slow-burn romance that had me completely hooked.

Sophia and Alden are the kind of characters you root for from the first page. Both are fierce, independent, and deeply driven in their own ways. I loved how they clashed and challenged each other, but also how their bond grew so organically.

I honestly didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend to anyone who loves fantasy with grit, heart, and just the right dash of romance and spice.

Sophia DeWinter is desperate to escape the clutches of the nasty uncle who has taken freedom away by extracting an unfair promise from her when she was a child.

Sophia's only means of escape is through magic, and to achieve her independence, she must there her way to success in a brutal series of competitions known as the Ordeals. But that is easier said than done, ask Sophia is finding out...

A familiar trope argumented by creative world building and a promising cast of characters earns this book 3.5 stars.

10/5★

Obsessively immersive, twisted, and heart-pounding—this is one of the most gripping reads I’ve had in a long time! I was captivated from the very first page to the last.

This book is pure Buffy meets Goblet of Fire, with a badass heroine, a dark academy setting, a fiery rivals-to-lovers dynamic, and a series of brutal, magical trials that will keep you breathless. It only took a few pages to hook me. By chapter three, I was literally jumping out of my seat and screaming. It’s rare for a book to have me this emotionally invested so quickly. I’m loving the thrill, the plot twists, and the absolute chaos. Every chapter felt like a heart attack waiting to happen, in the best way possible!

Sophia and Alden are everything. The banter? Sizzling. The chaos? Delicious. I can’t keep up with them—and honestly, I never want to. I am devouring every moment they’re on the page. The trials were uniquely crafted and unpredictably insane. one of them actually made me stop breathing!

I was jumping, screaming, terrified, hyperventilating, grinning like a fool - just wow. What a wild ride! The author pulled me straight into this world, and I never wanted to leave. It was such an escape from reality, and I am so grateful for it. My heart and soul were completely consumed by this story. Words honestly fail to express how much I loved it. I am obsessed.

The writing? Phenomenal. This was my first book by this author, and I’m so thankful it reignited my love for fantasy. Each chapter was exciting, addictive, and left me wanting more. I need the next book — I can't sleep without knowing what happens next!
And that ending? An absolute banger. It was perfect and left me completely dysfunctional for days.
Please. I’m begging. Can I have the next book? The very fiber of my soul needs it.

Huge thanks to HQ publisher and NetGalley for the early copy—I truly appreciate it. This book felt like a work of art, and every opinion here is 100% my own and from the heart.

Wow where to begin with this one! I was very lucky to get an arc of this book. Thankyou HQ publishers and NetGalley.

Mysterious, chilling, and utterly addicting, I was wrapped up in this from the beginning.
As i was reading, I thought I knew where it was going but it managed to catch me off guard several times!

The aesthetic is unapologetically dark and moody. With gloomy weather, deadly trials & an intriguing magic system. It gave me everything I want from a dark academia book.

The love interests are technically rivals to lovers, but it’s more of a ‘keep your enemies close’ sort of vibe pretty much from the onset. I’d say it’s relatively low spice which i felt fitted perfectly with the story as there’s lots going on.

The ending is a total whirlwind ( in the best way) it had me audibly gasping! And then in tears… and then left desperately seeking the next book 👀

The Ordeals comes out on 7th October this year so If you’re looking for a deliciously dark and thrilling read this autumn, look no further. This book covers it all. This was an easy 5 ⭐️ for me!

I can’t wait to re read this when my SE arrives 😍

Definitely got fourth wing/hunger games vibes from this book. Excited to see where this series goes!

This completely swept me away. I honestly could not put this down! The world-building is absolutely stunning—dark academia vibes with a unique and interesting magic system that feels fresh and immersive. You really get pulled into the atmosphere of Killmarth College and the high-stakes world of the Ordeals.

The character development is so well done, especially with Sophia (our FMC). I felt such a strong emotional connection to her—she’s fierce but vulnerable, and you’re constantly rooting for her. The pacing is relentless in the best way possible; each trial amps up the tension, and the last few chapters had me gripping my seat. No joke, I was holding my breath.

And the slow burn between the FMC and MMC? Chef’s kiss. It unfolds so naturally and adds just the right amount of romantic tension without ever distracting from the intense, life-or-death challenges they’re facing (which, by the way, are VERY real—like they might die real).

If you’re into romantasy with high stakes, a vivid magical world, emotional depth, and some serious trial-by-fire energy, The Ordeals needs to be on your radar.

This is definitely a 5-star read for me!

#NetGalley

Really enjoyed this, the characters were well thought out and there was enough of their back story to understand them without it taking over the whole story line. The story line itself was exciting and unique, quick paced and kept you guessing throughout. Can’t wait to read the next book!

An interesting story about a girl & her fight to move away from being controlled; by completing the Ordeals & becoming a magic wielding scholar. I really enjoyed the magic system & the overall plot in this book, however I felt some things needed more development i.e. the relationships between the characters & the development of the romantic element. Overall though, the story was interesting & the ending left me curious to know more!

Another one I could not put down and devoured in one sitting. I absolutely recommend this book. Be ready for an afternoon or evening of completely neglecting any chores as this one will have you hooked within the first chapter. I live for books that leave me speechless and this book did just that. I actually feel quite sorry for the next book that I read because there is no way it be able to compete with this magical gem!

Action packed from the first chapter, I loved the intriguing magic system and the strange power that binds people together with bargains.
Trials are one of my all time favourite tropes so I was raving through the book to discover what The Ordeals had in store.
Perfect for lovers of popular Romantasy books and Dark Academia, if you swoon over dark haired main characters with sharp jawlines, this is essential reading.

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me an e-ARC. The opinions below are my own and are not influenced by this.

This book was the epitome of slow burn and dark academia. I love any books with trials and magic, and this book delivered with that! It was an interesting spin on some popular tropes and it was really unique, I’ve never read a book like it. I liked the progression of the relationship between the characters, and I love the firey attitude of the FMC. This book made me feel a mix of emotions in the best way.
I do wish that we had a bit more background setting/information about the trials at times just to fully complete the world building. But otherwise I enjoyed this and would recommend it to any readers who like dark academia.

Rating: 4/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

What a brilliant story. Think The Hunger Games mixed with Harry Potter, with a side of Twilight!

I didn't want to put this book down (although a weekend with friends meant that I reluctantly had to).

My only negative was the romance element. I didn't have a problem with the growing relationship between Sophia and Alden - in fact I really liked this, but all the swooning about his hazel eyes, muscular torso, flowing hair detracted from the action and story telling.

I started this book not knowing what to expect as the only other book involving magical academies are the H P series. The story starts with Sophia being magically bound to the Collector (“her uncle”) running jobs for him. After the last job going wrong , she decided she had enough of being bound to live this life, so she made her way to the crucible where she had the chance of passing a magical entrance test to then stand a chance of spending a semester at the magical college Killmarth, where she would be free of the collector as his magic was nullified beyond the gates of killmarth. During the semester long trials at killmarth which would enable her the chance of getting a coveted spot to be a scholar at the college, she has to dig deep to find herself, discover her past, make friends and fall in love all while having to fight off the cold ones who every 8 years go on a great hunt to drain the magic from the wielders. The book follows Sophia’s journey, describes the setting perfectly and you can really picture the grounds of the college, it also weaves the story of each of the characters close to Sophia. There is definitely going to be a second book and I would be very keen to read it. Dark academia done brilliantly

4.5 ⭐

This was such a good read!!!!! I was hooked from start to finish!! The world building is so immersive, I'm actually sad I've finished it!! Think Harry Potter meets Fourth Wing (but without the dragons) - obviously right up my street!!! Magic, rivals and romance 👌🏼

From the characters to the plot to the romance The Ordeals is the book that keeps on giving, in the best way!! I am so here for it! I feel so invested in the characters lives. A really exciting read all round, I'm so pleased I got to read it thanks to Netgalley - I can't wait for it's release and for it to get all the love and hype it deserves!

A definite favourite read so far this year for me, and I will be buying the special edition hardback 🤭

The Ordeals was a really fun fresh take on a magic school setting with just enough familiar elements to feel nostalgic.
Rachel Greenlaw really made this her own by crafting a quite creepy atmosphere and adding the Buffy-esque vampire slaying into the mix. The magic system is interesting with four different kinds of magic: botanists, illusionists, masquiers and alchemists.
I had a lot of fun with the trials and exploring the school but I will say that this is quite a romance heavy book and I wish we’d spent a bit more time on the former rather than the latter.
The romance was a little instalovey, however I liked that the author actually leaned into their emotional connection rather than just basing it off physical attraction. Also shoutout for the males taking contraception in this world!
In my opinion the twists were very obvious early on but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment throughout. I’ll definitely be looking forward to the sequel!

Thank to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

An exhilarating read, full of twists and beautiful writing, with a slow burn romance and plenty of magic. This could have been a cookie cutter off the peg offering but instead was just spellbinding and immersive. Highly recommend.