I absolutely inhaled The Mortal Trials, another one I finished in a single day and I’m luckily on a great streak from Netgalley arcs with great bingeable, debut romantasies.

This follows a brutal, high-stakes trial system in a elven world where mortals are pushed to their limits for survival and the chance for immortality with something more lurking beneath the surface. From the start, it throws you straight into a world of competition, constant tension, and it does not let up.

The trials were a highlight for me — fast-paced, ruthless, and full of twists that kept me hooked the entire time. There’s that addictive “just one more chapter” energy because you need to know who makes it through and what is happening next (particularly between the main characters)

The characters really carried this (and side characters - loved the sprite helpers!) Strong, determined, and layered with just enough vulnerability to keep them grounded. The dynamics between them added to the tension, especially with the underlying mistrust and power plays woven throughout. The romance had that darker, slightly dangerous edge which I love and twists on twists, that I did not see coming!

It leans into familiar tropes, but in a way that just works. Enemies to lovers, Competitive trials, morally grey characters, survival stakes, slow-burn tension, forced proximity, instructor/trainee, found family, banter —it hits all the right beats without feeling flat or overdone.

Overall, such an addictive, fast-paced read that completely pulled me in. If you love deadly trials, tension-filled dynamics, and that feeling of being unable to put a book down, this absolutely delivers!

Thanks Netgalley for the e-arc, Angry Robot Books for granting the wish to read it for a honest review and Megan for writing this great and addictive book. I am very ready for the next one in this Duology (ugh that ending!)

4.75 stars!

This was a good read! You get thrown into everything pretty quickly, so it definitely had my attention from the beginning.

The trials… perfection.

Some twists I saw coming and some I didn’t, but it’s full of them! The characters are lovable, which made it even better.

I really recommend you read this book. I can’t wait for what’s next!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Keep an eye on this series. Megan is coming out of the gate STRONG with an incredible first novel. The Mortal Trials pulls you into a world where being selected for the trials means stepping into something intense, competitive, and not entirely what it seems. The story follows characters as they are pushed through a series of high-stakes challenges that test their abilities, decision-making, and resilience under pressure.

Lirah stands out as an FMC because she is not written as effortlessly powerful or overly polished. She is sharp and observant, but also emotionally reactive in a very human way. At first, she is hesitant and resistant to the structure forced on her, but as things escalate, she makes an intentional shift, not into someone new but into someone who understands what survival demands. Her anger, frustration, and protectiveness consistently drive her choices in a grounded and engaging way.

Kilian is her contrast. Controlled and guarded, he is careful about what he reveals, keeping most of himself just out of reach. There is an edge to him that makes him hard to fully read, not as a gimmick but as someone who stays intentionally distant. That distance makes his moments with Lirah stand out even more, especially when he acts in ways that do not quite align with the image he projects to others.

The magic system is tightly structured with clear rules and limitations that matter in practice, not just in theory. Unlike systems where magic can feel convenient or loosely defined, this one stays consistent and forces real problem-solving within its boundaries. That makes the training and trials more intense with no "easy" out.

There are several quotable lines, a strong plotline with twists and turns I did not see coming, and excellent character building that sets up future storylines. Wow, wow, wow. I was captivated by this book and could not put it down. Well done!

If you love Fourth Wing, this is a book for you. It is a familiar-ish story line, it reminded me a lot of Empire of Flame and Thorns (book 1), but it's formula is definitely a lot different. There is great character development. The imagery is great. It's an easy read, and definitely less intense than Fourth Wing of Empire of Flame and Thorns, but just as good. I really enjoyed it and I can't wait for book 2!!!

Thanks Angry Robot and NetGalley.
Great debut book, I finished it in a day. You get thrust straight into the action where every decade 13 mortals are forced to complete in trials with an end goal of potentially becoming one of the elven. If the FMC and MMC aren’t fighting they’re flirting and the end sets up the premise for a great book 2.