I loved the idea of the FMC being the one who is centuries old, it was really refreshing. The pacing was good, but the characters felt a little bit one dimensional.
I loved the way the story was set in New York but like an alternate reality New York, and I enjoyed the way the author tied parts of IRL history to the fae. I felt like the some of the worldbuilding was a little rushed so I couldn’t quite understand how the worlds were connected. The first chapter really threw me off too.
I enjoyed the actual story, and have a feeling that the second book could be really great as it requires less of the explaining that fell short for me in this book.
I read it in a day so obviously enjoyed it, but I ended the book with a lot of confusion still!

In this adventurous, enemies-to-lovers fae fantasy, Sav, a fae who is centuries old, must team up with Jack, the son of her biggest enemy (and a human) to save the future of her people living in New York City under dire conditions. Together, they journey into the fae realm, face perilous situations and unique characters, and find love along the way.

This book started off slower than I expected as there was a build-up to the main plot, but once it got to the problem at hand, the plot gained speed and became much more interesting. Once Sav and Jack ventured into the fae world, there wasn't a dull moment as they had easy banter between them and we got to see their friendship deepen. The book mainly had dual POVs with a few other character POVs sprinkled here and there. This was a great aspect as it was fun to see both Sav and Jack's perspectives on their journey and budding friendship.

Sav and Jack were great characters, however, I didn't feel very connected to them (unfortunately). Perhaps it was because of the insta-love on Jack's part as he fell madly in love with Sav the moment he saw her, but I didn't feel a deep connection to the main characters. I really loved Kaspar as a side character, though, and thought he deserved a lot better!

Overall, while the story was fast-paced and action packed, it didn't resonate deeply with me. However, I really loved how the author created the fae world (e.g. sectioned into a court for each season) and thought the descriptions of the fae and creatures were so imaginative and fun!

I struggled with this book, I didn’t connect with the characters or the world as much as I usually can. I unfortunately started linking similarities to the cruel prince and I don’t like the characters in that book either. I feel the interesting parts were skimmed over like Sav’s family/court. I liked the lore and magical creatures elements but struggled with the rest. I don’t think I’d continue with this series

3.5 stars!! Rounding up to 4 😊🤍

Thanks to NetGalley and Cassandra Aston for the ARC of Whispers Among Thorns! This was an intriguing start to a new fae series with some great ideas, even if a few things didn’t quite land for me.
I liked the concept of the fae and human worlds merging—it gave the story a unique edge. For those who like fantasy in modern day/ urban settings this one could be for you! Sav was a strong lead but I felt like the romance with Jack felt a bit rushed. That being said, I really enjoyed side characters like Hazel and Kaspar, and Jack’s inner conflict with his father’s legacy added depth.
Overall, the story had enough twists, magic, and tension to keep me reading!

3.5 🌟

Sav is a fae who has been banished to the human realm with her magic bound, along with many low fae. When her people are attacked and imprisoned by anti-fae humans, she has to work with the anti-fae leader's son, Jack. Along their journey, she has to supress any developing feelings for Jack, as it is a death sentence to fall in love with a human.

I'm a little conflicted about this book. There are some parts I adore, but the romance fell short for me.

What I loved most about the book was a lot of the side characters and the overall plot. It was a bit predictable, but I got sucked in quickly. It's obvious from the start that there's more going on than meets the eye for Sav and Jack, as well as with the overarching human vs. fae conflict. All the characters have their own secrets, and the author did a great job pacing out all the little information reveals throughout the book.

I loved a lot of the side characters, especially Kaspar. He is so loyal to Sav and I love him for that ❤️ The antagonists are also really well-developed. Dane (Jack's dad) is an evil, creepy asshole, but he's interesting. I love a villain with a backstory and depth.

For the romance, I didn't really feel a strong chemistry between Jack and Sav. Honestly, I like Kaspar a lot more than Jack 😭 Jack fell way too quickly for Sav, and it felt very superficial.

I've seen people tag this as enemies to lovers, but it's way more of a forbidden romance than EtL. They're never actually enemies; Jack is supposed to be on the human side of the conflict, but from the very start he's been helping the fae and going against his father.

Despite my personal opinions about our main couple, I still enjoyed reading this! This was my first Cassabdra Aston book, and I'll definitely keep an eye on her future releases (and book 2 of this duology!)


Thank you Netgalley and Cassandra Aston for the chance to read the ARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

This book was entertaining and easy to read but unfortunately the whole plot, world building and characters development were a bit off and confusing for me. The plot is very slow to unfold in the first 30% of the book and the pacing of the romance is off. I also had an issue with the ending, like it’s not really a cliffhanger with a big plot twist (everything is kind of expected) but it’s more like we stopped in the middle of a plan unfolding.
That being said, I think the sequel will be interesting, seeing how book 1 has paved the way. I just think some chapters were not necessary and this could have been a standalone.
There is a lot of good material in this book and so many possibilities to make the plot and the characters grow on book 2.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley to provide an honest opinion.

This book shows considerable promise. The overall concept is excellent; however, I found the narrative flow somewhat disjointed at times, making it occasionally difficult to follow.

I appreciated the diverse range of magical creatures and the intriguing connection between the fae world and Earth.

Some characters felt underdeveloped, and the romantic connection between the main characters lacked chemistry, appearing somewhat contrived.

Overall, I rated it three stars. I believe this story has significant potential but could benefit from further development.

Warning ⚠️ ends on a cliffhanger and makes you desperate for book 2. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC but now I have to wait even longer for book 2 than most 😭

Things I loved about this book - she's the one hundreds of years old, he's like a lost puppy who has no clue what he's doing and both humans and fae are the bad guys. Plus, I get both an urban setting and court drama ❤️

Kaspar though 😍 give me lots more of him in book 2 please!

This was a standard romantasy. I did not feel that the storyline was anything unique. Sav was similar to many of the mainstream FMCs that are popular now. I don’t think there was anything particularly wrong with her as a character, but I did struggle to connect to her, and found that I wasn’t very invested in her character. Her relationships with Jack and Kaspar were just confusing. Both felt underdeveloped and I didn’t know who I was supposed to root for. I did enjoy the setting of the novel. The concept was very interesting and I would have loved to learn more about the meshing of the Fae land and the human world. The mention of the common Fae elements that influenced the human world sounded so cool, but I felt that element of the story was left in the background. Overall, this was a quick read and the writing style was fast-paced enough that any issues I felt while reading were able to be overlooked for the sheer need to keep reading.

3.25 stars

This urban romantasy takes place between modern New York City and the realm of Faerie. However, Faerie is slowly disappearing, forcing many fae into exile to live among humans on Earth.

The plot follows Sav, an exiled high fae trying to survive on Earth. One day, she and her faerie neighbours are captured by the anti-fae movement. She manages to escape alongside Jack, the son of the movement’s leader, and vows to return to rescue the imprisoned fae. To do so, she needs help from those still living in Faerie. Together, Sav and Jack travel to Faerie in hopes of finding allies for their mission.

The book introduces some fresh twists to typical fae stories. First, the female main character, Sav, is much older than her potential love interest, Jack. She has lived for centuries, while he is much younger. Second, fae exiled to Earth are weaker than humans because their magic is restricted, and they have taken an oath not to harm humans. This power imbalance has led to hatred toward fae, and an anti-fae group, led by Jack’s father, Dane, is determined to eliminate them.

The story is written in multiple POVs. Initially, it starts with a dual perspective but later introduces additional viewpoints, which was a bit frustrating at times. However, chapter headings helped keep track of who was narrating.

I enjoyed reading the book, but I felt that the character development, especially the romance between Sav and Jack, lacked depth and felt hollow. There wasn’t enough tension or yearning. Their connection wasn’t explored enough to feel fully believable, and I wished for more emotional depth.

Overall, the book has an exciting concept and interesting world-building, and I had a good time reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and author for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.

Discord is Sown, Secrets Unearthed, and a Fae Fights Back ⭐⭐⭐
“Whisper Among Thorns” by Cassandra Aston is book one in the “Deadly Fae” Duology. It is a dark romantasy set in New York and the mystical land of Faerie. It has trigger and content warnings that you should review before reading, including torture, trauma, addiction, and death. Something to be mindful of would be that the behaviors and rhetoric of the AFF (the books Anti-Fae group) were stoic reminders of the treatment immigrants and others have received at the hands of others throughout history.
This book is very detailed. Between the world design and the descriptive storytelling, this is not a quick read. From the description of creatures, bathrooms that should be demolished, and the color of magic, readers are provided a true play-by-play and a strict world design. This book contains multiple POVs, including and aside from the two main characters. I would say there were approximately 7 different POVs (even if they only have one chapter). While this book is very detailed, the multiple POVs can make it difficult to get a handle on the story’s timeline. Readers will be able to see the picture, but it is difficult to ascertain/track everything that is happening.
Sav’s character was difficult for me to get a read on or to feel like I understood fully. I appreciated her strength and dedication to help the Fae on Earth, but she was very conflicting. Jack best describes her as “buried behind walls,” and I can agree with that. It was very frustrating at times to try to ascertain her true thoughts or opinions despite having her POV chapters. I feel like I was able to understand her best when Jack was discussing her. I enjoyed Jack’s character as well as the possibilities of his arc and uncovering his mystery. He is an MMC heartthrob; he is affectionate and kind towards Fae, even risking possible death to save their lives. So much information was revealed about Jack in the last half of the book that I hope the next book continues and solves them.
A lot happened in the last 100 pages of “Whisper Among Thorns.” A lot. Revelations were learned, promises broken, and plans went upside down. There are a lot of loose ends to tie up, which seem to be a lot more complicated due to the decisions made by Sav at the end of the book, as well as the events we see at the end. I look forward to the final book of the duology, which I’m sure will be earth-shattering and a “last 100 pages” energy throughout to tie up the loose ends.

Thank you, NetGalley, for my ARC :)

In modern-day New York, Faes and Humans are cohabiting the famous city, having to learn how to live with another. But some people don’t want to learn, some people just want to watch the world burn and believe that their way is the right way.

When Sav, the feisty Fae sent to live in New York after being shunned by her family experiences the evil of humans first-hand, she takes it upon herself to be the saviour the Faes on Earth need but what happens when she is forced to set upon her quest for freedom with a human, specifically the son of her enemy?

Whilst on their journey, Sav and Jack start to gain more than friendly feelings for each other, but the two can never be as the consequence of inter-species love is death.

So wrong but oh so right, the tension between Sav and Jack is undeniable and by the time they both admit to their feelings I was giggling like a schoolgirl, but that feeling is short-lived as they are reminded time and time again of why they can't be together.

Take away the fantasy elements and the main conflict of this story feels like something that could be happening right now in our current climate which makes this feel more ‘real’ and traumatising.

The whole sub-plot about the true identity of a certain character was somewhat predictable but, we still don’t have all the answers yet.

The last third of the book really picks up and is the reason this made its way from a 3 to a 4 star and although we’re left on a HUGE cliffhanger, I still really enjoyed the read and the characters and can’t wait for the next part of this duology to come out later this year!

Available to read from the 24th of June 2025, if you’re into forbidden love and fantasy tropes, then this is a story for you.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this amazing book. In the first few chapters of this book, I thought that I would not enjoy it and it would end up being a book that I DNF'd. The beginning is a little choppy and the world building was a struggle to understand at times for me, but I am glad that I stuck it out and kept reading.

During the beginning when the world is being introduced, I found it hard to follow at times trying to understand how Earth and Faerie were connected. I also felt like there were a lot of character introductions and it was hard to understand if they were important characters or if they were random side roles. I also found it somewhat difficult to follow all the different magical creatures that were introduced, and it didn't seem like there was any organization of the magical creatures other than the Courts that people belonged to. I felt that there were a lot of missing foundation pieces when it came to the world building that I still have questions on but hoping that some of those questions may be answered in the following book.

I always have a hard time in books when they want to introduce a relationship, and it seems like one party is instantly in love or infatuated with the other person without even knowing them. I would say that Jack is very smitten by Sav from the very beginning, but there is a lot of slow burn and tension throughout the book and up until the end their "relationship" is still a question. I think that sometimes instalove is hard to relate with or be believe able, but I also feel like in this case there may be some underlying factors contributing to their feelings that I am hoping we get answers to.

I really enjoyed the rescue mission that Jack and Sav embarked on. The witty banter and tension kept me reading until the very end. I think there were definitely some comedic moments as well with Jack trying to navigate the new world of Faerie and the creatures that he encounters. I don't think he will ever look at a tree the same. While Sav's character development is slow, she is definitely someone that I can relate to. She is very closed off and doesn't want to hurt those she cares about, but above all she protects her heart from potentially being used and broken again. I loved seeing Jack be able to slowly break down those walls.

The last couple of chapters along with the epilogue had my brain spinning. I have so many questions and theories that are developing in my head and I am excited for the second book to release so that maybe some of my questions will be answered!

Whispers among thorns was such an entertaining read. It’s part gritty urban fantasy and part fairy court adventure. If you are picturing the Emily Wilde books but with violence and dark trickster fae then you are probably pretty close.

What I loved in particular:
- Cassandra Aston has flipped the gender roles in this story with the MFC being the centuries old fae with all the knowledge and the MMC being the young human who is realising he might just be special.
- The description of faerie in all its deadly beauty was a real highlight of this book.
-Savs POV was delightfully vicious. I like that the author didn’t try to make her sound to emotional or human.

I did feel really sorry for Kaspar though, I hope things get better for that poor kelpie in the next book.

I’m already anxiously awaiting the next book in the series, due later this year to see what happens next for Jack and Sav. If it is anywhere near as addictive as this one then Cassandra Aston will be an auto-buy author for me.


Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

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Whispers Among Thorns
Cassandra Aston
Not yet published Expected 24 Jun 25
3.92
107 ratings99 reviews

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Book One in the Deadly Fae Duology

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

Quicksilver meets Game of Thrones in a New York City setting, where she's the centuries old fae and he's the son of her enemy.

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 cost them so much more than they bargained for.


Coming June 2025

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Genres
Romance
Fantasy
Fae
Enemies To Lovers
388 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication June 24, 2025


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About the author
Profile Image for Cassandra Aston.
Cassandra Aston
13 books121 followers

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Award-winning author Cassandra Aston has captivated readers with her Prophecies of Angels and Demons series, available in eBook, print, and audiobook. The series has enthralled audiences worldwide. Her debut novel, Grave Secrets, achieved great success during the 2023 award season, claiming first place in the Pencraft awards and second place in the Outstanding Creator Award for Best Fiction Book of Clash of Champions. Grave Secrets wasn't done there, garnering several other nominations throughout 2023.

Looking forward, Cassandra has several projects in the works including her current WIP - The Deadly Fae Doulogy, which is slated to release in mid to late 2025.

When she isn’t writing, you'll find Cassandra nestled in a cozy mountain cottage, soaking up the beauty with her family. This serene environment fuels her imagination and the fantastical worlds she creates.

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Ratings & Reviews
My Review
Profile Image for Brittni Shafer.
Brittni Shafer
306 reviews · 5 followers
March 24, 2025
The grip this book has on me is one I'm not even close to fighting to get out of. The world, the characters, the layers, absolutely blew me away! I can't even begin to explain how cool this world is and how well developed and thought out it is. Something I absolutely love about fantasy is the world building and this book is done in a way it literally feels real. Yes I mean it's literally placed in the real world and collides with a fake one but I mean this feels like it could happen hahaha.. which.. well.. I'll just say, with the status of the world right now, this book feels crazy accurate with the violence and racism. But do not fear! The characters bring a light to it that will leave you CACKLING and kicking your feet with glee. Sav is everything and I'm obsessed with her. And Hazel is literally every feral thought ive ever had in my life hahaha. I can't gush about this book enough and these male characters, phewwwwwww lawrty. I'm a Kaspar girlie and I'm very jealous Jack got to take a ride on him, IYKYK. If I talk about this book anymore I'm going to give spoilers so I'm just going to say, this was an epic read and is living rent free in my brain and I'm screaming for book 2!!

Thank you for the ARC Cassandra Aston

Thank you net galley.
I enjoyed reading this book and the writing. But for some reason I wasn't able to connect with the characters.

Thank you so much to the author Cassandra Aston and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC!

This book had the makings of being great. It has fae of all kinds and an interesting concept of the fae needing to move into the human world as Faerie slowly disappears, then taking over parts of New York. However, I felt it dragged on quite a bit. Instead of deepening the plot, there were long violent scenes or scenes that were just background filler that felt like they could have been bettered used for world building or character development.

The FMC was badass, which I love! But found most of the characters in this book hard to connect with. For those interested in fae realms bleeding into the human world, this is definitely a book for you!

Whispers Among Thorns had the bones of a compelling story. It was a unique setting and the beginnings of an intriguing plot, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me.

I found myself struggling to stay engaged. The pacing felt slow, and the plot never fully hooked me. While the world-building had potential, it wasn’t enough to carry the story on its own. The characters, who should have brought the narrative to life, felt flat and difficult to connect with. Their development lacked the emotional depth I look for in a read, making it hard to root for them or care about the outcome.

That said, I can see how others might enjoy the atmosphere and the ideas the author was trying to explore. It simply wasn’t a match for my reading taste.

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

2.5 stars⭐️ (rounded up to 3!)

This book had an interesting premise with fae courts, forbidden romance, and a hidden world woven into modern-day New York. I have been on an urban fantasy kick so the premise intrigued me!

Unfortunately the book just didn’t fully deliver for me. The world had so much potential, but I wanted more history and depth to make it feel real. There were a lot of magical creatures and court dynamics, but it started to feel overwhelming without enough explanation or structure to ground it. More background and lore I think would have been helpful.

The romance didn’t work for me either. I like that Jack is different from the typical MMC we’ve been seeing in romantasy. But at times it felt rushed and forced, and some scenes made me uncomfortable rather than intrigued. The chemistry between Sav and Jack didn’t feel natural, and I found myself cringing at some of the interactions instead of rooting for them.

The writing style leaned more toward telling instead of showing, which made the emotional beats fall flat. Dialogue felt stiff at times, and character motivations didn’t always make sense. I liked a few of the side characters and thought the political setup of the fae courts had promise, but overall it read more like a YA fantasy when I was expecting something more layered.

I think newer romantasy readers might enjoy it more than I did. It’s easy to follow and has some cool ideas, i think the execution personally just didn’t click for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Cassandra Aston for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Reviews published on good reads, StoryGraph, and Fable on May 16, 2025.

This is the first book in the Deadly fae duology, a romantic urban fantasy set in modern day new york city, where fae secretly live among humans. Sav, a fae woman infiltrating an anti-fae extremist group by targeting Jack, the leader’s son which lead to a different way in romance way.
Sav played a strong, morally complex protagonist, grappling with her duties and personal desires.
This is a slow-burn romance that unfolds amid rising political tensions, and secrets.
The world setting was kinda new to new and its amazing same goes to the characters, the only thing that disturbed was how certain subplot was hard for me to understand. Overall its an amazing story.