I loved this book. The more I learned about Roz and Damian, the more I wanted them to be together. The things that came between them were heartbreaking, and I really enjoyed watching them overcome something even though something else would then arise. I really liked the world building. It was interesting and layered into the book very well. I was not expecting the twist at the end, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Thank you so much TBR and Beyond Tours, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, M.K. Lobb, and Netgalley for sending me an eARC to read and give an honest review!

"You don't recover - you only grow stronger. You find a way to rebuild yourself, even with crucial pieces missing."

*2.5 stars*

I want to say how disappointed I was by this book. I REALLY wanted to love it because it was one of my top releases of this year. However, the terrible pacing, undeveloped magic system, and lack of focus on the actual plot made me want to DNF this book MULTIPLE times. It's honestly embarrassing that this was pitched as "for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Kerri Maniscalco." Additionally, for some reason, I thought this book might be like Nevernight by Jay Kristoff (maybe because the girl on the cover looks like Mia Corvere) which probably didn't help matters.

First of all, the pacing was absolutely terrible. The first 60% (or so) dragged. Was this due to the fact that the main characters (especially Roz, the FMC) kept repeating things they had already said, or the fact that they didn't start working together to solve the murder until, like, 40% through? The only time this book was paced correctly was the last 30%. Honestly, the author probably could've gotten away with just publishing the second half of the book.

Secondly, the magic system lacked development. The reader was told how each saints' Disciples had a specific type of magic, but they were not told the exact type or the limits of their power. It felt like it was just thrown in by the author to make it more "fantasy". The guild system idea was a good one, just executed poorly.

Thirdly, Lobb obviously wanted to write a romance but instead thought it'd be fine if the story mainly focused on the romance versus the murder the characters were supposed to be solving (which (view spoiler)) as long as there were still some elements of the mystery in it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a good romance, but it's frustrating when the book is supposed to be about one thing and the author focuses on some other element of the story. Additionally, the supposed-to-be-major twist of who the murderer was didn't SHOCK me like it was supposed to.

In regards to the characters . . . Roz was a TAD annoying. As another reviewer put it, she had a "self-righteous holier-than-thou attitude". Even sweet Damian was one-dimensional.

All that being said, this might be a case of "it's not the book, it's me," and I sincerely hope others who read this book enjoy it more than I did. The last 30% was the main redeeming quality of this book (earned it two stars at the very least). I will also more than likely pick up the second book to see where Roz and Damian's story goes after that cliffhanger of an ending (that part gave this the extra half-star).

This was a really solid book! Roz and Damian's characters had very distinct personalities and arcs, though I do feel like their backstories/their connection could have been fleshed out more. The same can be said for the side characters—though I enjoyed them all, they fell a bit flat for me. I think the book (plot especially) just felt a bit too simple, like it could've used a good subplot perhaps. The prose is also very straightforward, maybe a bit too simple for me, but accessible and easily understandable. I did really appreciate the way Lobb tackled the book's themes of institutional religion, dismantling belief systems, organizing a rebellion, and the traumas of war. The most memorable part of it all was definitely the ending, particularly that PLOT TWIST! I was suspicious of literally every character other than who it turned out to be, and my jaw definitely dropped when I saw this character's name! All in all, a fun dark mystery with a romance subplot that I'm giving three stars.

I received an e-arc of Seven Faceless Saints by M.K. Lobb from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a solid debut.
If you like Italian-inspired settings like Kingdom of the Wicked or This Vicious Grace, I think this has a similar vibe.
It has a childhood friends to lovers to enemies to then back lovers arc starring a sad soft boy and angry stabby gorl. Damian <3 Roz.
There was an interesting magic system based on the Saints in this world, I would have liked to see more of it. I am interested in reading the sequel and seeing where the story goes.
I was really into it while I was reading, but the second I go to write a review it's no thoughts head empty.
I'm thinking 3.5 -> 4 stars

Seven Faceless Saints was an amazing start to this series. We meet Roz and Damian they were once best friends and a couple until Damian went off to war. Damian returns traumatized and put in charge of the Palazzo, the security force that protects the Disciples the citizens that were blessed by the saints with magic. When there is a murder that puts him in the path of Roz once again. Roz who hasn't been the same since her father's murder is angry and under no illusion about the corruption of the city she calls home. She will do whatever it takes and I mean anything to figure out who the killer is even if that means working with Damian... someone she never wanted to see again.

I loved the world-building, and the characters they were so real you could feel their emotions as if they were your own. I really enjoyed watching Roz and Damian work through their pasts and figure out how to work together, and maybe work towards something more. The whole book kept me on the edge of my seat until I reached the last page, and I was completely surprised by what ended up unfolding throughout the story. I can't wait until the next book comes out to see how what was revealed is going to play out!!

Sat down to read this on a plane and did NOT look up from my Kindle until it was over!!! I absolutely loved this. It sounds like a pretty formulaic YA fantasy, enemies to lovers, rival factions, blah blah blah, but I thought the two MC's backstories were done so well and I was rooting for both of them SO hard. The things keeping them apart are more mature than the regular YA stuff.

The writing was also incredibly good, I highlighted a lot of quotes - particularly from Damiam talking about Roz!! Swoon.

I love a good saint/god based story....I neeeeed book 2

Ombrazia is supposedly blessed by the saints, or, at least, six of them. The six granted some of the people living there powers, whether they be powers over strength, healing, metal, or something else. Those with power are considered valuable, honored, and granted everything they could ever wish for. For the powerless, though, it’s a different story. Forced to fight in a war that’s older than they are, the powerless know that there’s little they can count on, other than dying. And it’s no longer just dying in the war. Someone is walking the streets of Ombrazia, murdering innocents for seemingly no reason.

When the murders reach one of those blessed by the saints, Damian, who has no powers, is assigned to investigate. Should he not find the culprit, he will be sent back to the front, a place he still has nightmares about. Roz, who used to be Damian’s childhood friend but now holds nothing but hatred for him, is investigating too. While she showed powers a bit later in life, it wasn’t before she lost her father to war, and pledged herself to the cause of the Rebellion. Her own goal in finding the murderer is to bring him to justice, and help protect those who are left to fend for themselves.

Damian and Roz will have to team up to find the murderer, before it’s too late.

I received an advanced reading copy of Seven Faceless Saints in exchange for an honest review.

Seven Faceless Saints is a young adult fantasy novel by M.K. Lobb. Seven Faceless Saints is her debut novel, and I had a great time diving into this book that’s full of magic, rebellion, and religion.

One of the main reasons I loved this book was because of the characters. We have two main characters here, Roz and Damian, both of whom are fantastic to read about. They both have so much trauma, Roz in the fact that she lost her father, and Damian, who was actually in the frontlines of a war. This fuels so much of their goals as the novel progresses. Damian will do absolutely everything to prevent getting sent there again, while Roz is so eager to get revenge for her father’s death that she is willing to do absolutely anything. They’re also both so flawed. Roz is incredibly stubborn, and will often take wild risks. Damian might be more cautious, but as Captain of the Palace Guards, he’s always trying to prove himself and live up to impossible expectations set by his father. And when they come together, of course there is so much chaos.

It gets better because these are characters who previously knew each other and were friends, but when the book begins, are practically enemies. We have so much history between them, but the history is sort of fractured, and there’s a lot of hurt feelings to get out of the way before they can be friends again. Friends, or something more? I know, I know, minor spoilers, but surely you can guess that’s what would happen in a book like this, right?

But besides all this, the characters are dealing with a lot. There’s the murders, for one thing, and I just loved how much this particular plot gets interwoven with so many other elements in the world. For example, there’s the fact that the people in charge only started caring about the murders when it became people with powers getting murdered, and obviously that isn’t going to sit well with the main characters, especially Roz. Then, there’s the whole undercurrent of the seventh saint, who basically caused the war years and years ago, and I couldn’t help wondering if this saint would be in any way involved with the story.

Of course, I can’t tell you that without giving you massive spoilers, but I will say that there were plenty of twists in this book and I was so surprised by each one, but also thrilled. This is the kind of book that gives you just enough hints so that you can start putting a theory together, but then twists everything and reveals that all those hints were leading to something else all along. It just worked so well, and I admired Lobb’s ability to formulate such a good mystery as her debut.

I had a great time reading Seven Faceless Saints, and I will for sure be picking up the sequel. I think it comes out next year? But I’d recommend this book to any fantasy lovers, to those who like a good murder mystery, or to those who are fans of the childhood friends to lovers/enemies to lovers trope.

Seven Faceless Saints will be released by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers on February 7. You can preorder your copy here.

Rating : 4 out of 5
Blurbs :
In the city of Ombrazia, saints and their disciples rule with terrifying and unjust power, playing favorites while the unfavored struggle to survive.

After her father’s murder at the hands of the Ombrazian military, Rossana Lacertosa is willing to do whatever it takes to dismantle the corrupt system—tapping into her powers as a disciple of Patience, joining the rebellion, and facing the boy who broke her heart. As the youngest captain in the history of Palazzo security, Damian Venturi is expected to be ruthless and strong, and to serve the saints with unquestioning devotion. But three years spent fighting in a never-ending war have left him with deeper scars than he wants to admit…and a fear of confronting the girl he left behind.

Now a murderer stalks Ombrazia’s citizens. As the body count climbs, the Palazzo is all too happy to look the other way—that is, until a disciple becomes the newest victim. With every lead turning into a dead end, Damian and Roz must team up to find the killer, even if it means digging up buried emotions. As they dive into the underbelly of Ombrazia, the pair will discover something more sinister—and far less holy. With darkness closing in and time running out, will they be able to save the city from an evil so powerful that it threatens to destroy everything in its path?

Thoughts : We are following two main characters, Damian and Rosanna, who are childhood friends turn to lovers then to enemies. They loved each other but because of certain circumstances, they now not getting along. We are following their adventure with murders, cults, rebels, and magic in Ombrazia. There are some murders, mentioned of death and characters' PTSD during this unknown situation they're in and their past. I personally didn't see the twist coming at all. There is one smut scene that is very very PG rated. It's safe, if you don't know, you don't. Tbh, I don't really like Roz but I somehow manage to finish this book anyway. The ending is okay, a bit confusing but I will read the next book within the series.

Thank you Netgalley for the early copy!

This was a really solid debut and start of a series.
It did take me a while to get into the story, but once I did, man was I hooked. We get a dual POV between our main characters Damian and Roz. Damian is head of security at the Palazzo where the disciples (the people with magic) live. Roz is part of the rebels with the unfavored (people without magic). While they were best friends when they were younger, they are on opposite sides now. I really liked both Roz and Damian. They both had such hard things in their past with Damian fighting in the war and seeing his best friend die right beside him and then Roz's dad being killed because he deserted the war. And Damian's father gave the order. These things changed them both partly into something maybe a little less than desirable but you can really tell that they have great hearts (maybe Damian more than Roz) and it's so easy to root for them. I also loved the side characters so much! Both Damian and Roz had such a great little group of friends that believed in them when other people didn't.
At the very beginning of this book we learn of a murder of one of the prominent disciples. I love a good murder mystery. Damian is put in charge of finding out who the murderer is and learns that it is connected to other murders of the unfavored citizens including one of Roz's friends. While the murders were a big part of the book, we also got a lot of the magic system and beliefs of these people which ties in nicely with who the murderer turns out to be and gives a lot of background without being obvious. The ending really made me excited to see where the second book is going to head.

*thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for honest
Review!*

3.75stars

The premise is very interesting and i loved the relationship dynamic of our mcs. I think i would’ve liked it more if it were Na fantasy instead of YA . I kept feeling like it needed MORE of something.
More intimacy, more violence.
Something.

❤️ Childhood friends->enemies-> Lovers
Soft boy x stabby girl

Queer rep. ✅

SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS is an action-packed gut punch of a ride. Roz and Damian are two MCs tied together by their past that is filled with tenderness but also the harrowing effects of war & what war makes us do.

Lobb explores traumatic & difficult subjects with care, Damian’s PTSD was nuanced & heart-wrenching and Roz’s anger, rage, and questioning of Ombrazia’s society and beliefs were something I personally related to as someone who has experienced this myself.

I enjoyed this book immensely, and Lobb will definitely be an author I will read from again! I can’t wait to see what else she cooks up!

A breathtaking young adult fantasy debut about two estranged best friends trying to discover the truth behind a series of murders in their city. SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS explores the cost of war, injustice in systems of power, and what it means to defy the very beliefs your world was built on. Told through dual-POVs, Roz and Damian's voices shined on the page -- especially highlighting the ways in which rage and grief are two sides of the same coin.

I really enjoyed the premise of the book; the backstory between the two main leads was definitely intriguing and was a lot for them to overcome. The pacing was good, and getting to explore the worldbuilding was exciting, as what the author came up with was fascinating. However, I think some of the characterization was a bit soft and I wished I had connected a bit deeper with the Main leads, but that also could have just been me, as I also wasn't the biggest fan of how some of the third act went (but I really believe that's due to my own preferences, and nothing to do with the author's intentions and how it was written. Overall well done, pulled me through the whole way and I would definitely read the second books, but it wouldn't be at the VERY top of my TBR pile.

Unfortunatley, this book proved to be a let down in the worst way possible - it's simply unimaginative. I'm usually very forgiving with books if they have at least something that catches my attention - either world, characters, plot, or even good dialogue. Unfortunatley, this book is really just bland in all of those aspects. Not agressively bad - it's competently written, at least, and I can see hints at arcs for the characters (they're not really hints. you kind of get beaten over the head with them) but there isn't anything here I haven't seen done better in other books. It really took all my willpower to push through, and I know that in 2 months time I won't remember what happened at all.

Thank you to Little, Brown, and Company as well as Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy of Seven Faceless Saints in exchange for an honest review.

Seven Faceless Saints is about Roz Lacertosa, a young girl blessed with magical powers and Damian, the head of Palazzo security both of whom live in a city called Ombrazia that is ruled by disciples, people who were blessed with magical powers from the six saints, Strength, Patience, Cunning, Grace, Mercy, and Death.

This book was super interesting from the beginning to the end! I loved the mystery of the deaths within the city but also the dynamic between Roz and Damian. I could tell that the two of them had history but at the same time, I didn't feel as if I was missing something. I was instead intrigued and wanted to learn what had happened before the events of the book that had changed their relationship.

I definitely didn't see the twist at the end of the book coming whatsoever. I thought I had it figured out and I could not have been more wrong but in the absolute best way!

Some of my favorite characters included Damian's best friends in the Palazzo force. The connection between all of them was so pure and they were all willing to lay down their lives for one another. I also loved that Damian was not your typical YA hero that was there to save the girl. He had a lot of trauma and things he worked through throughout the book.

Overall, I would give this book 5/5 stars and cannot wait to see where the author takes the story! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Shadow and Bone/Grishaverse, Kingdom of the Wicked, and Crescent City.

In a lot of ways, this scratched the Young Elites shaped itch in my brain. It felt very much like a spiritual successor to that, one of my absolute favorite fantasy series, and I enjoyed that a lot. I wasn’t sure at first if this was gonna be For Me, there’s a LOT of worldbuilding needed in a story like this and the way it was presented in early chapters felt not quite clunky but a bit repetitive. Along the way though, it found its footing, and maybe because I’m a sucker for a good Pathetic Man But it got to a point where. I was genuinely intensely invested, and I read a solid 45% of this in a day. I’m definitely curious enough to see where we go from here!

I need to open this review with a huge thank you to @thenovl (the publisher) for sending me a copy of this book because it was one of my most anticipated 2023 reads and let me tell you, you do not want to miss this one!

Things I Liked
Italian inspired fantasy world
Lovers to enemies to lovers romance
Stabby Heroine
Cinnamon Roll Hero
Plot twists and mysteries
Multiple POVs (mostly the two main characters but sprinkled with well placed POVs from side characters)

I loved this debut. I am literally desperate to read the sequel (is it 2024 yet?)!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown for sending me an early copy of this book! All opinions are my own!

As an avid fantasy reader, it's often hard to find a world that's totally unique, but this one definitely felt like nothing I've read before, and the way that it really drags you into the middle of it made me want to devour the story. I loved the story arcs and the way that the mystery keeps upping the stakes and making you fall more and more in love with the characters.

The romance was such a beautiful friends to lovers to enemies to lovers, and I adored the backstory and the way that they reconnected. Their journeys to self-acceptance and love were so beautiful, and I ended up being way too invested for my own good.

My one issue with the book was the way I was able to figure out the book way before the characters. It was like they didn't even think about this whole type of magic that existed, and then when they do, they don't understand that it can be used in the way it's being used. There's no explanation for them not thinking of this, it's like they just ignore that side of the logic. Which drove me absolutely crazy.

The final plot twist, however, was one that made me wanting more (even though it was definitely coming), and I cannot wait to see where this story goes!

Make sure to get your hands on this book!!

I received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

I had high hopes for this book and they were delivered.
The world building was done very well, the magic system was well developed and there was an interesting cast of characters.
I can’t wait for the next installment to this series to come out.

Seven Faceless Saints is a dark and action-packed adventure. It follows Rossana and Damian, once childhood sweethearts and now mortal enemies. Everyone knows Damian’s father gave the order to kill Rossana’s father, a deserter. When Damian returns from the front lines, he realizes that the girl he once loved is lost to him forever. But all is not well in the Palazzo, as a murder stalks and kills without warning. As Roz and Damian race to find the murderer, mysterious clues indicate that an ominous magic lurks nearby…

What a fantastic debut! M.K. Lobb navigates a murder mystery, failed romance, and burgeoning friendship with ease. Roz and Damian have deep scars between them and only the most dire circumstances can force them to reconcile. As the story unravels, both must make heartbreaking choices. Roz is bisexual and I may have read into it, but Damian might identify as demisexual or demiromantic. As promised, Roz is very stabby and Damian is very soft, which I loved!!

The story had excellent pacing; it felt like there was never a dull moment. The magic system was well-designed and filled with interesting details. I was truly stunned by the twist when the murderer was revealed!! I would recommend this book especially for fans of Emily Thiede (This Vicious Grace) and Jay Kristoff (Nevernight). I am really looking forward to the sequel after that thrilling conclusion!!

Seven Faceless Saints releases February 7, 2023. Thank you to M.K. Lobb, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, Wordpress blog, and Barnes & Noble etc