Thank you so much to NetGalley, the publisher, and Zara Storm for this arc of this 3-book series for my honest review.

Overall, I found myself really enjoying the world building, the magic, and just the story in general.

For Book 1, The Court that Bleeds Gold:

Such a really great introduction to this series and to the characters. I really loved how the world was set up - it was really beautifully done and made me eager to see how everything would play out in this world. Eleanor, the FMC, is wonderful - she's a human alchemist trying to create gold by working with metallurgy - she gets by with doing this by selling her work at Fae markets and then bartering for fae metals and supplies. She's a really fascinating character and I found myself really loving her strength and the passion that she has.

Ruskin isa bit more of a rough one to love from the start; he's a people person yet the way he shows that is not really clear. The enemies to lovers vibes are truly strong with this couple - and goodness knows, that is my favorite trope!!

For Book 2. The Kingdom Cursed by Iron:

Super, super glad I was able to just immediately jump into this one following the cliffhanger ending of Book 1! I liked how we discovered the new/true evil that was taking over and truly saw how Eleanor (and Ruskin) is the only one that can stop it! I loved how Eleanor was even stronger in this one - she really seems like she has accepted herself and become more confidant in her abilities in this book. This book also just had a lot of fun - sword training? I only wish there had been many more chapters on that!

For Book 3. Realm that Falls to Her.

This book picks up right where book 2 ends - which I appreciate!! Eleanor and Destan are on their way to the Unseelie Kingdom, and Ruskin remains locked away and fighting his mom to buy time.

There were a lot of new creatures in this one, and a bunch of old friends/enemies and they all kind of came together with one purpose in mind. This book was much better than book 2, and was such a fun rush of a roller-coaster when it comes to emotions! The final battle was amazing, and really - I have no notes!

Such an overall great series! I loved how the mistakes and issues from book 2 were fixed in book 3 and book 3 was just such an incredibly strong book!! Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Throughly enjoyed this story!!!!!!! I typically don’t read Fae storylines but the worldbuilding and characters were so enjoyable to watch grow.

Thank you Netgalley and author Zara Storm for this arc of "The Gold Weaver Series" for my honest review below.

This was somewhere between a 4 and 4.5 Star read for me. I actually really enjoyed the world building, story line, and magical elements throughout all three books of this trilogy. I felt drawn and attached to all the protagonists of the story and very much disliked all the antagonists. I loved that this first story in this series was a fun adult mix of beauty and the beast meets rumplestiltzkin. I sped through both books one and two, but for some reason book three seemed to drag just a little for me. I do wish the MMC had been a little more developed. Ruskin never became a 'book boyfriend' for me and I didn't quite fall for his and Eleanor's love story. I think there may have been a bit too much why 'it will never work' and 'running away from love' for my liking and would have preferred more development of their relationship. Again, I loved the realms the author built, how the various high fae, low fae, and humans all interact and the dynamic between one another, the magical imagery she crafts, friendships she builds and then some. The only thing I feel fell short for me was the classic enemies to lovers trope meets fated love was lacking that special something for me.

Thank you NetGalley & the publisher for access to the completed Goldweaver Series! I had never heard of it until seeing it here and I'm already FULLY invested, I can't believe this one isn't talked about as much online!

The Gold Weaver trilogy offers a light and accessible fae fantasy world that blends familiar tropes with a unique magical element: the manipulation of metals. The concept of magical metals is genuinely intriguing and gives the world a fresh twist.

However, for me personally, the series never fully delivered on its potential. I often found myself wishing for more depth—both emotionally and in terms of character development. The story moves forward and the stakes increase, but key moments that should feel powerful—like major character deaths—left me surprisingly unaffected. I think that’s largely because the emotional buildup and the sense of connection just weren’t strong enough.

While the romance is present early on and continues to evolve gently across the books, it lacked the kind of intensity or complexity that really stays with me. The same goes for the overall narrative—it was pleasant enough, but I kept hoping for that spark, that unforgettable moment, and it never quite arrived.

Still, I can imagine this trilogy being a cozy, enjoyable read for those who love fae stories with Beauty and the Beast vibes and unique magical elements. It wasn’t quite the right fit for me, but I’m sure others will find something to love here.

What is even better than being approved for one ARC? Being approved for an entire box set! This was so good too! The re-imagining of a fairytale that I had no idea I needed.

The Gold Weaver series is a Romantasy retelling were Rumplestilskins meets Beauty and the Beast in an esay fantasy setting.
Was it a game-changer? No. Did I enjoy it? Yes! Esay to read and get swept into.

In The Court that Bleeds Gold gives a nicely done worldbuilding and somewhat entertaining characters.
In The Kingdom Cursed by Iron we get more of everything.
Normally everything goes wrong in book two out of three, but this one draws you into the magic world and keeps you invested while the story udfoldes.

Lastly in The Realm that Falls to Her we get a interesting conclusiong to the action-packed story. Still, a little predictabel, but definitely some suprising aspects.
And yes there's spice!

Overall I would gives this series 3,5 stars which, for me is'nt a bad thing, I just wanted more darkness and less Romantasy.

I will include my individual reviews for each book in the series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75/5)

The Court That Bleeds Gold by Zara Storm swept me into a world I didn’t want to leave. I absolutely loved the storyline—it was rich with intrigue, secrets, and just the right touch of fantasy. The main characters were a standout for me, especially Eleanor. I admired her strength and the way she refused to let Ruskin’s lies control her. Watching her stand up for herself was incredibly satisfying, and I’m really hoping Ruskin comes back to grovel for her forgiveness (he better!).

I’m also so intrigued by Eleanor’s powers and can’t wait to see how they develop in the next book. While some parts of the writing felt a little rushed, overall it was engaging and well done. Despite those moments, I really enjoyed the book and will definitely be continuing with the series!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)

I really enjoyed The Court That Bleeds Gold, so I was excited to dive into The Kingdom Cursed by Iron—but unfortunately, this one dragged for me.

The central mystery around the iron felt like it was going nowhere for most of the book. I had guessed the majority of the ending less than a quarter in, which took away a lot of the tension. The dynamic between Ella and Ruskin was particularly frustrating. He refused to communicate, she demanded all the answers, and neither of them seemed willing to meet in the middle. The pattern of not talking, then hooking up, then avoiding communication again made their relationship feel stagnant. There was little to no development between them until the very end, where they suddenly seemed perfect—and it just didn’t feel earned.

Several parts of the story felt extremely rushed, especially Ella’s training with Halima and Maidar. I would have loved to see her training and powers explored more deeply, but instead we got maybe two chapters of development before she suddenly becomes way more powerful and solves the iron mystery almost immediately upon returning to the Seelie Kingdom. It felt like a missed opportunity to really grow her character and make the payoff more believable.

That said, I’m still hopeful for Book 3. I want to see Ella and Ruskin come back together in a way that feels real, and I’m looking forward to more magic, more growth, and (hopefully) more communication.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.75/5)

This third installment was definitely a step up from the second book. The plot was more intense, the pacing tighter, and the stakes felt higher overall. I found myself more engaged and interested in the direction of the story compared to the previous book, which had left me a bit underwhelmed.

That said, I’m still frustrated with Eleanor’s character. After everything she’s been through—losing Ruskin, getting him back, declaring her love—she still can’t commit to a future with him? We're in book three, and there’s no major conflict between them anymore. At this point, her indecisiveness just feels dragged out and repetitive, making it hard to stay invested in their relationship.

Overall, while this book helped regain some momentum for the series, I’d rate the full trilogy around 3 out of 5 stars. The Realm That Falls to Her is easily the best of the bunch, but the lingering character frustrations and uneven tension make it hard to rate it any higher.

A Rumplestiltkin retelling but good.

It’s not perfect but I was too busy turning the pages to care too much.

I didn’t luuuurve this but it absolutely kept my attention and kept me turning the pages .

Would definitely read the author again.

Recommended if you like ACoTaR, fae human romantasy, and classic fairy tale retelling.



Thank you to Relay Publishing and NetGalley for the DRC

If you're a Rumple x Belle fan but want it ✨fae✨—this series is 100% for you. It’s got that fairytale mix vibe (a little bit of everything you grew up loving), but with a nice and entertaining plot that actually keeps you interested.

Not gonna lie, the FMC, Eleanor, was really annoying at first—she was so naive—but by the end of book three I really appreciated how much her character has grown and evolved over time.

The best part is that you can binge all three books in one go, and I really appreciated it. The Gold Weaver is basically everything I wanted from the Plated Prisoner series but never got (no ickiness here). Also, Rumple is super sweet and so easy to love :)

Big thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-ARC. This series was right up my alley--romance, fantasy, magic world, we love to see it. I do wish there had been a little bit more world-building, but I'm someone that likes a lot of world-building and I know that it's not for everyone. I also wanted to see a little bit more character development, but again for a debut, this was very enjoyable. Overall, I would recommend.

I've only read book 1 so far, but I will read the rest and update my review soon.

The Court That Bleeds Gold by Zara Storm is a captivating blend of dark fantasy and romance, drawing inspiration from tales like Rumpelstiltskin and Beauty and the Beast. The story follows Eleanor, a young woman with a unique ability to transform metals into gold, who, in a desperate bid to escape a brutal king, strikes a dangerous deal with a Fae prince named Ruskin. This pact leads her into the heart of the Seelie court, a realm of beauty and peril, where she must navigate treacherous politics and uncover hidden agendas.

Strengths:

Compelling Characters: Eleanor is a strong, sharp-tongued heroine whose resilience and wit make her a compelling protagonist. Her dynamic with Ruskin, an enigmatic and darkly charming prince, is filled with tension and barbed exchanges that keep the reader hooked.

Immersive World-Building: The novel excels in its world-building, presenting a Fae realm that is both beautiful and cruel. Zara Storm's writing vividly brings to life the savage games and intricate politics of the Fae court.

Slow-Burn Romance: The romance between Eleanor and Ruskin is a slow burn, evolving from mutual distrust to a deeper connection. Their relationship is well-developed and satisfying, revealing layers of complexity in both characters.

Areas for Improvement:

Pacing and Predictability: Some readers found the pacing to be somewhat uneven, with certain plot twists being predictable, especially for those familiar with fairy tales.

Character Development: While Eleanor's character is strong, some readers felt that her initial naivety added depth to her arc, setting the stage for compelling development as the story unfolds.

Conclusion:

The Court That Bleeds Gold is a promising debut that delivers an enthralling dark romance experience. With its compelling characters, immersive world-building, and engaging writing style, it is sure to captivate fans of the genre and leave them eagerly anticipating future installments.

Eleanor is forced to escape from a brutal king who demands that she spins gold for him. She summons a fae prince with a bargain...

Enjoy the banter between the main characters. I enjoy the romance too. Lots of chemistry and sexual tension. Love this retelling of the fairy tale...

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

The story reminded me of a cross between rumpelstiltskin and beauty and the beast. I could have used a little more character development from Ruskin but I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and it was a fast story to read. 4 or 4.5 stars but definitely would recommend to anyone needing a good book to read over the weekend. I was dying for a good rumpelstiltskin fae story so it filled my criteria. This was a lot of fun and the development between characters was fantastic.

The series is spicy and full of tension and thrilling plots.

I wasn't a huge fan of the ending of the series but I still had a lot of fun and enjoyed the stories.

The Goldweaver Series is an amazing and intriguing paranormal series that's full of mystery and suspense. I enjoyed every single book in this boxset, and I know it's a series that I can read again and again. I absolutely loved Ruskin and Eleanor (Nora) story, and I think it's one all paranormal readers will enjoy. There was never a dull moment in this series, and it has everything that I needed in it to make this an amazing story for me. The side characters were great and of course there will be some you love and dislike. There are great friendships, second chances, romance, love, steamy scenes, laugh out loud moments, magic, secrets, promises, regret, betrayal, enemies, allies, threats, deaths, survival, action and so much more and it ends with a HEA. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books from this author and I will be recommending this series to all of my paranormal romance book loving friends.