Thank you so much to author Cassandra Aston and NetGalley/Victory Editing for an ARC of Whispers Among Thorns! Publication date is set for June 24, 2025.

I’m very much looking forward to reading this book and will update my review in due course!

This story covers multiple realms, not just the realm we know, which I find an interesting add because it adds to the world building and provides more room to introduce other relevant characters. From the premise, Sav and Jack were the main two perspectives I was more interested in, but the story provides multiple viewpoints as well. Sav is a brave character who adapts to the situations she's in, and I found Jack's stance a bit intriguing too given not just who his father is in the story but also how he refers to his father. As this is a duology this book also seemed to set up to lead into another part, but this was overall a good introduction given the worldbuilding and current character dynamics.

Thank you for the complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

There’s only one rule that truly matters. Never fall in love with a human. Break it and die.

Living under the radar in New York City, Sav just wants to carve out a life in her new world. That hope is shattered when the leader of the anti-fae movement destroys her home in an attack on her people. Finding herself caught between protecting a deadly secret and saving the fae from the humans bent on slaughter, Sav must infiltrate the extremist's inner circle, posing as a human, and seduce her sworn enemy’s son.

Jack, the son of the infamous anti-fae-faction leader Dane Clyde, has always lived in his father’s shadow. When a woman is brought into AFF headquarters in chains, he finds himself drawn to her despite the danger. Caught between duty and desire, Jack must choose a side before one is chosen for him.

What began as a mission to rescue Sav’s people may end up costing them both so much more than they bargained for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this arc.
I did enjoy the book but I really wanted more.
This definitely has potential but parts fell off for me unfortunately!

The overall concept was amazing but I felt like narrative flow was a bit disjointed at times, making it hard to follow .I’d like to see more character development, back stories and more on why fae and humans are on earth together.

Thank you Net Galley for this eARC!

I loved this book. It has everything I loved in it, faeries and humans having to mingle with a twist of enemies to lovers. I loved the world building and interesting characters. I also enjoyed the urban setting contrasted with the fae realm. I enjoyed the fmc even though she goes through it in the beginning. Overall I enjoyed the book very much but also please check your trigger warnings.

This is book 1 of a fae duology and actually my first fae book. So while I can’t compare to others in this genre, I found it interesting how the Faerie world was structured around seasonal courts. The story follows Sav, banished high fae, and Jack, human and son of the villain (yep, forbidden romance). It’s set in between 2 worlds after they’ve collided, NYC and the Faerie realm, creating what I’d say is a darker and action packed storyline.

This has been set up with a lot of questions that I’m hoping we see answered in book 2. I’m especially keen to get to know the characters more. Their backstories do unfold later into the book but it’s clear there’s more beneath the surface, especially after the ending. I’d definitely read the second book to see what comes next. Thanks for a copy of this eARC!

This book is pure magic. I kept wishing it was longer, not because it felt incomplete, but because I wanted more. More history. More of the why, who, what. The world was so intriguing, I wanted to live in it longer.

And oh, the metaphors. My soul was doing backflips. “The dissidence in the air was so thick, on some days, like today, it was hard to breathe.” Lines like that had me pausing, rereading, feeling things.

Then the second half hit, and everything changed. Suddenly, it is packed with action, forbidden love, twists I did not see coming, and more of that delicious magic. I loved that we are dropped straight into the chaos from page one. No hand-holding. Just go.

The contrast between New York and Faerie? So good. Completely different and yet... the politics, power plays, betrayals somehow still feel the same. That parallel really stuck with me.

Also, this line? “We don’t choose the time we get with the ones we love, only the time we don’t.”
Still not over it.

The best part? It is a series. The next book is out next year, and I need it now. But I will pretend to be patient as I wait to dive back into this thorny, magical, beautifully twisted world.

I received an ARC of Whispers Among Thorns by Cassandra Aston and really enjoyed the ride. The pacing is quick without feeling rushed, and the world is layered with tension between humans and fae, courts, and within the characters themselves.

Sav is a fierce and loyal main character, driven by a deep sense of responsibility to protect those who can’t protect themselves. She’s the kind of protagonist who fights with her heart. Jack, her unlikely ally, adds depth and mystery to the story as their paths intertwine across both human lands and the world of Faerie.

There’s a strong emotional core here. Old bargains, deep secrets and the question of identity all come into play in subtle and satisfying ways. The stakes are high, the magic is intriguing, and the relationships are compelling.

A strong start to a promising series. I’ll definitely be reading the next one!

I did not finish this book pretty early at about 5 percent. It was too close to crescent city and I did not enjoy the modern language used in it.

Whispers Among horns is the first instalment in Cassandra Aston’s Deadly Fae Duology.

This dark urban fantasy introduces readers to a world where ancient fae and humans collide, weaving a tale of forbidden love, espionage, and high-stakes rebellion.

In the heart of New York City, Sav strives to live inconspicuously among humans. Her fragile peace shatters when an extremist anti-fae group destroys her home and takes her and other fae captive. While captured she meets Jack, son of the anti-fae leader, who is secretly working against his own father to help the fae.

What follows is a multi-world adventure filled with rebellion, espionage , and slow-burning tension as Sav and Jack navigate dangerous alliances to save the fae in the human world. Along the way, Sav must grapple with her growing feelings for Jack.

Why I Loved It:
* Immersive world-building: The integration of fae elements into the modern world is both imaginative and believable.
* Complex Characters: Sav’s strength and vulnerability make her a compelling protagonist.
* Slow-Burn Romance.

It asks deeper questions about identity and power: What are we willing to become to survive? Who do we protect when the lines blur between love and duty?

The intricate plot and rich character development will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment. Recommended for fans of morally grey heroines, enemies-to-lovers and fae fantasy.

I was able to get this ARC through NetGalley.

While this was a good book, it took some time to get into. Building the story, the setting/characters all take time to get out. So the story takes time to get going and feels disjointed at times.

You get thrown into Savs world in New York City, where she is currently living under magical glamours so the humans aren’t aware of her status as a fae. The human world isn’t safe for them and they are all being attacked by the anti-fae-faction or AFF.

After being captured by the AFF Sav meets Jack the son of their leader Dane. As time passes Sav learns that Jack isn’t like his father and get his help in escaping. While feelings develop between the two, they know they are playing with fire. Will they be able to help rescue Savs people, or will the Fae world fall to ruin by the AFF?

I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment of the Deadly Fae Duology.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

I did enjoy the book but I really wanted more 🥺
This definitely has potential but parts of fell off for me unfortunately!

The overall concept was amazing but I felt like narrative flow was a bit disjointed at times, making it hard to follow 🥺
I’d like to see more character development, back stories and more on why fae and humans are on earth together.

What I loved about this book was there was a lot of side characters mainly Kasper and Dane🥰 the love Kasper has for Sav and would do anything for her ❤️ whilst Dane is evil but very interesting with his backstory and depth.

The romance was very short for me. To be honest I really didn’t feel much between Sav (FMC) and Jack (MMC). I felt more with Kasper and Sav than Jack and Sav 🙃

Despite of my personal opinions I still did enjoy this book and I read the next book

Was archived weeks prior to publication date so unfortunately did not download in time as I did not realise. I would have like to have read and reviewed it.

There’s only one rule that truly matters. Never fall in love with a human. Break it and die.

Living under the radar in New York City, Sav just wants to carve out a life in her new world. That hope is shattered when the leader of the anti-fae movement destroys her home in an attack on her people. Finding herself caught between protecting a deadly secret and saving the fae from the humans bent on slaughter, Sav must infiltrate the extremist's inner circle, posing as a human, and seduce her sworn enemy’s son.

Jack, the son of the infamous anti-fae-faction leader Dane Clyde, has always lived in his father’s shadow. When a woman is brought into AFF headquarters in chains, he finds himself drawn to her despite the danger. Caught between duty and desire, Jack must choose a side before one is chosen for him.

What began as a mission to rescue Sav’s people may end up costing them both so much more than they bargained for.

When I saw this blurb on Netgalley – I was excited to read this story, but sadly it didn’t live up to the blurb. First the book is written in First Person Narrative – UGH – but the author doesn’t just give the reader one POV – no, it is multiple character POVs in rotating chapters – which made the story hard to get into. Then there is Sav, I just never warmed up to her and found the romance between her and Jack to be underwhelming. I did like the dual world perspective and some of the secondary characters, but unfortunately, that just wasn’t enough to salvage this story for me. This is the first book in a duology, and I would recommend reading the books in order.

2.5 stars rounded up

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that I requested and was provided to me by the publisher/author. All opinions in this review are my own. *

I was not expecting this book to be as political as it is (positive)! This is an urban fantasy (the first book of the Deadly Fae duology) with a big romantic thread. I thought Sav saving her fellow fae in the beginning was a small part of the plot that would lead her to falling in love with Jack and the rest of the story took place in Faerie, but I was SO wrong. This is the first Fae VS Humans novel I've ever read and we actually spend a lot of time jumping back and forth from Earth to Faerie, and we get several POVs as well. I overall enjoyed the story but I'm surprised it's a duology because I feel like we still have so much lore to learn and plot points to explore.

what I loved:
-Sav's fiery personality
-the friendship between Sav and Kaspar + Sav and Hazel
-the mix of the urban setting of NYC with the magical, adventurous one of Faerie
-Dane as a villain (hate the man but he's a good villain)

what I didn't love:
-the blurb is kind of deceiving? "Caught between duty and desire, Jack must choose a side before one is chosen for him." but you find out from the very beginning he wants to help the fae?? he's already chosen a side?
-I would've rather had fewer POVs with plot twists appearing later in the story than random side characters getting a chapter or two (e.g. Foxglove or Janet) it was a little jarring to have multiple random shifts in POV.
-the romance was more insta-lust, would love to see more intimacy in general between Jack and Sav and I hope we get more connection in book 2
-we don't get as much background on Sav as I would've liked (I still have questions about her past?) and considering this is a duology I'm afraid I'll still have questions even after the second and final book

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Urban Romantasy | Fae Bargains | Political Intrigue | Slow-Burn Tension

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Cassandra Aston for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Whispers Among Thorns delivers a moody, modern fae tale with sharp edges and slow-burning stakes. Cassandra Aston blends courtly fae intrigue with urban grit, bringing us an atmospheric romantasy rooted in themes of rebellion, identity, and the price of power.

The story centers on Sav, a High Fae noble who finally rebels after a lifetime of being manipulated by her family. When she refuses to marry her childhood friend, Kaspar, she’s stripped of her magic and exiled into the human world. We pick up three years later in New York City (yes, there’s a Fae hotspot in Central Park), where Sav’s path collides with Jack—a human who harbors a deeply personal grudge against all things Fae.

What follows is an uneasy alliance between a magicless Fae trying to reclaim her place and a human with secrets that even he doesn't fully understand. Their reluctant partnership sparks a forbidden romance that doesn’t rush to the altar—thankfully. It’s a slow, wary build, full of guarded glances, tension-filled arguments, and moments of shared vulnerability. It works, though I did wish for just a little more time and development to fully fall for their dynamic. The connection simmers, but never quite boils over.

The second half is where this story shines. Once the action returns to the Faerie realm, the stakes escalate—political games intensify, family secrets unravel, and truths about Jack’s identity come to light. Sav’s sister Sage is a standout antagonist, full of quiet menace and strategic cruelty, and side characters Kaspar and Hazel add emotional depth and moments of much-needed levity.

My one gripe? The beginning wanders a bit, with the plot meandering through exile life and world-building that’s more suggestive than immersive. But once the pieces fall into place, the payoff is worth it. The tension builds, the politics twist, and the emotional arcs deepen. Plus, Aston’s prose is clean, atmospheric, and just lyrical enough to draw you in without bogging things down.

This is a great entry point for readers newer to romantasy or anyone craving an urban fantasy that blends real-world themes—like prejudice and radicalization—with magical stakes.

Tropes to love:
🖋️ Fae Bargains
💥 Reluctant Allies to Lovers
💫 Fated Mates
👑 Court Intrigue
🚫 Forbidden Romance
🏙️ Close Proximity

Final thoughts:
A promising first half of a romantasy duology that balances political games, personal growth, and slow-burn romance with a modern twist. I’m definitely grabbing book two when it releases—there are too many secrets left whispering in the thorns.

🌿Whispers Among Thorns🌿
4⭐⭐⭐⭐

Alright, fae lovers, buckle up! Whispers Among Thorns is not your average urban fae story. This book plunged me into a truly unique world, and I'm utterly fascinated by the intricate history between fae and humans. Seriously hoping we get more of that lore in book two!

The central mystery of Sav's banishment kept me glued to the pages, but it was the forced proximity between her and Jack that was truly chef's kiss. Their dynamic was a delicious push-and-pull: her fierce independence clashing with his instant, possessive instincts, all while he subtly healed parts of her she didn't even realize were broken. That slow burn was agonizingly good, leaving me both raving and dying for the next installment!

Every single side character brought something interesting to the table, making it easy to follow all the unfolding subplots. If you're a fan of unique fae novels, sizzling tension, and a slow-burn romance that will test your patience (in the best way!), then this absolutely needs to be on your TBR!

Mark your calendars – Whispers Among Thorns is available June 24th!

Big thanks to NetGalley and the author for my ebook ARC!

Tropes:
Fae bargains, reluctant allies to lovers, fated mates, court intrigue, forbidden romance, close proximity.

Whispers Among Thorns by Cassandra Aston is an urban romantasy that blends modern world with the lands of Fae, court politics, reluctant alliances, and the simmering tension of fated mates. Told from multiple POV, where Sav, a High Fae who has been forced to bow to her family’s cruel whims most of her life, finally refuses to marry Kaspar—a childhood friend turned political pawn. Her defiance leads to exile in human lands and her magic bound, which leads us to present time, 3 years after exile. There (Central Park, New York City seems like an odd place for the Fae to land but it adds a spark to the story) she meets Jack, the bitter son of an anti-fae extremist. Jack, fueled by secrets and hatred for his father, is no typical human. Sav and Jack’s uneasy alliance starts a forbidden romance full of betrayal, magic, and complicated feelings.

The story kicks off with simmering conflict. Anti-fae human radicals actively hunt and kill Fae who found themselves exiled into human world, though in my opinion, story doesn’t fully catch fire until the 50% mark, when the stakes have risen after we see our duo venture into lands of Faerie to try and gain some support in freeing Fae from the radicals in NYC.

There, some truths come to light: Jack’s heritage, his mother’s mysterious past, and the political cruel games Sav’s sister Sage plays. However, a lot is left unanswered and I hope the conclusion to the duology answers all my burning questions. Apart from the FMC and MMC main POVs, additional view of Kaspar and Hazel, aka Sav’s oldest friends, add a spark of loyalty and magic that balances out the darkness of the story.

While the opening feels a bit meandering, the payoff is worth it once the political machinations and forbidden romance really kick in the second half. Fans of fae bargains, reluctant allies to lovers, and court intrigue will find much to love here. Personally, I appreciated an underlying potent metaphor for real-world struggles with prejudice and fear of the “other”, which is well drawn out throughout the story.

A solid start to what promises to be a fascinating romantasy duology—perfect for those venturing into fantasy, who like their fae tales with a little modern, political edge. World building isn’t too overwhelming and characters are drawn out well. If you’re looking for spice, look away, but if you prefer your stories with a little less open door romance, you will love it.

I’ve given it 3.75 stars and I look forward to the conclusion of the story, which should be out later on this year.

Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing and the author for providing the e-ARC.

3.75 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read this book! I enjoyed the storyline and the overall plot. This book is different and unique which I really appreciated! I did find myself confused a few times throughout the book, but it may have been a "me thing" and not the book itself. I really liked the characters, however I felt myself wanting more depth and personality. Same goes for the romance aspect, I wish we had more depth to it. Overall, I thought this was a good first book in a series and I'm looking forward to see what happens next in book 2!

3⭐️

I tried to a few times to finish this book but I did end up dnfing it. I had trouble connecting with the fmc l, which makes it hard for me to continue reading a story.

Whispers Among Thorns
*ARC review* Release date: June 24th
2.5/5 ⭐️ (Rounded up to 3)

Whispers Among Thorns by Cassandra Aston is an urban fantasy delving into the worlds of Fae and humans. I was excited for this book, but unfortunately, I could not get into this. I could not connect with the FMC and didn’t like how she treated the side characters. I liked the personality of the MMC but the speed in which he fell in love with the FMC was way too quick. The chemistry was lacking, and it felt very forced. I liked getting pieces of the story from multiple characters’ points of view. The diversity of magical creatures was nice, especially loved Kaspar and Hazel. I wasn’t a fan of the world building and had some confusion regarding the portals and the lore. This book almost felt like it had so much going on, yet the plot didn’t seem to go anywhere. This book could not keep my attention and just didn’t work for me. Recommend: No

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.