🗡️ Book Review 🗡️

Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley
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This book was phenomenal, and I could not put it down. The world was captivating, enchanting, and cutthroat. The storyline was filled with magic, love, danger, and betrayal. Kenna is an excellent protagonist. She’s a survivor, she’s brave and clever, and she’s a little bit morally gray. As a human in a fae world, she has no power. She’s forced to be a servant, forced to help her mistress in surviving deadly trials, and forced to be a spy. She walks a fine line between telling the truth and protecting the people she cares about, and she has to do terrible things to stay alive. The romance in this book is so good, and I can’t wait to see what happens with the relationships in book two. If you want a high stakes fantasy with female rage, rebellion against a corrupt ruler, forbidden love, found family, and an ending you never saw coming, go pick this one up!
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My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
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Read if you like:
▫️fae
▫️elemental magic
▫️deadly trials
▫️court politics
▫️strong heroine
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Thank you to Ace Books, Berkley Publishing, NetGalley, and Sarah Hawley for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Fantastic characters and a fantastical world. I enjoyed the writing style and the vivid descriptions that makes the reader feel like they’re in the same room as the characters.

Dark and magical, Servant of Earth is a tale of power, deception, and the unknown.

Living on the outskirts of the mythical fae world for her entire life, Kenna is very familiar with the village tradition of the fae selecting a few people to venture into their lands as tribute for keeping the village safe. When her best friend gets chosen, Kenna will do everything she can to help her. But when she falls into the dark world of the fae, the race to survive becomes an even higher stake.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat read. I was drawn in instantly by the mystery and intrigue of the plot, but the dark themes of the fae world were a little too much for me. I am interested to see where the series goes and will keep an eye out for the next installment.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

It took me a second to get into this book, but I flew through the second half and can't wait for the sequel. I found "Servant of Earth" to offer a unique setting for romantasy. If you wish we got more of Feyre trapped under the mountain in ACOTAR, then this is the book for you! I really liked Kenna, the main character, and enjoyed following her through the story.
None of the plot twists surprised me, but I still found the story satisfying and enjoyable to read. I would highly recommend this to people looking for a mixture of "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas and "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black. This series has a competition, a cruel culture, court politics, and romance.

This is a really stellar fantasy that had me completely riveted. The world building is so detailed and unique, it really made the whole story come together for me. I can't wait for a little more romance in the next one and I'm really looking forward to seeing where the journey takes us!

I really enjoyed this book! Kenna was such a strong human stuck in a fae court during a set of trials. She was assisting one of the princesses. She also was in a bit of a love triangle with two princes from different courts both trying to get information from her in different ways.
There were some brutal parts as the king was very cruel! All the courts were trapped cause this king.
I was hoping for some things to happen but they were way better than I imagined. The ending was so intense and chaotic. I'm really curious where this story will go, especially how she ends the book - she's a very different person from when she started and her alliances all shifted.
Excited for the next book!

Thank you to Ace Books and Berkley for the advance reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

I love this book so much that it's hard to find the words to express it. Kenna is a human. Across the bogs from where she lives is the Fae court, and every six years women are selected to serve the Fae. Though she is not selected, Kenna chooses to face their danger in order to help a friend make it through.

We learn about the Fae county and the six different houses of Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and Blood along with Kenna. I greatly appreciated sharing her outsider perspective. That meant that the world building happened at a natural pace and made as much sense to me as it did to her throughout. Moreover, her outsider status enabled her to question how things work and not be okay with the status quo.

And that was essential because there are some challenging topics (see content warnings below). It felt incredibly relevant in its deep exploration of how people treat others.

The only part that was tough for me was keeping track of the different fae when we first met many. I want to re-read some of the initial interactions now that I know all the players.

But wow did this draw me in with the incredible court intrigue and just how much I was impressed with Kenna.

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw did a phenomenal job bringing me in Kenna's head. Her narration of the audiobook added to the tension and suspense. It's a longer book with the audio lasting just under 17 hours, but it flew by as I listened.

I can't wait for the next book in the series and correctly guessed what the title would be.

CW: graphic death, slavery, SA

This is a new fantasy novel that I devoured. Kenna (FMC) tried to save her friend from the fae but ends up as a servant in Earth house instead. Kenna is forced to help Lara survive the trials to become immortal. In doing so she is caught, turned into a spy, found a lover, and joined a revolution. But how can one lowly human save all of Mistei and her human realm?

It was SO good. I will admit that I knew early on what would happen to Kenna, but I am the kind of reader that is constantly trying to figure out books. It did not disappoint when everything went down. Now I have to wait till Sarah Hawley writes the sequel. Woe is me....how will I survive not knowing more about Kallen?!

Unfortunately I could not finish this book - it was not my cup of tea. I tried to enjoy this but the pacing was not something enjoyed what so ever.

servant of earth was an unconventional take on trials and I ate it up and was on the edge of my seattttttt.

kenna is alone in a small village on the edge of the bog that borders the fae lands. when her best friend (and only person who cares about her AT ALL) gets chosen to be gifted to the fae, she feels like she has no choice but to accompany her. but when she reaches the fae realm, she’s alone and thrust into servitude for the earth house. and the trails for power are about to begin and kenna must make sure her new princess stays alive.

this book was twisty and full of morally gray fae and I had exactly zero clue who to trust the entire time. aside from the trials, there’s a war and rebellion brewing and kenna wants to make sure she’s on the right side of that.

i loved the court politics and espionage in this one. kenna is at a horrible disadvantage due to being human in a world full of fae, but she’s cunning and so smart.

the pacing was a bit off for me and I found myself only looking forward to the actual trials. also she is an IDIOT when it comes to men. however I am sensing a love triangle on the horizon maybe 👀 and I always eat those up.

i can’t wait for book 2!

Far from a paranormal romcom (loved Glimmer Falls by this author) this was a darkly seductive high fantasy that is both epic and romantic, where a human is thrust into the brutal world of the fae, (oh no hope that doesn't happen to me 👀 😅 would be terrible.. 👀 ahem) forced into a life of servitude and one where she must navigate political schemes ..sounds familiar but this is far from the usual damsel in distress story
A compelling and complex protagonist is found in Kenna, theres a lot of depth to her character, shes kind, shes brave, she's fiesty, shes cunning and kinda sneaky too, we love her for that 👏 the world building and magic system was unique and interesting, I'm excited for this series and to see how things play out, definitely a book for fans of TOG or ACOTAR I've loved all of Sarah's books so knew I'd eat this up! P.S the cover??? st-HUNNING 🤩

I absolutely loved this book. I was initially hesitant when reading the synopsis—it felt like a gamble—but I requested it on a whim, and I’m so glad I did. If you’re a fan of the first A Court of Thorns and Roses, this is definitely a must-read for you.

The story follows Kenna, a young woman unexpectedly abducted into the dangerous and enchanting world of the Fae. Tasked with assisting her lady through a series of magical trials, Kenna finds herself navigating a court full of shifting loyalties, hidden motives, and threats lurking around every corner. The stakes are high, and every choice could mean life or death.

This book is packed with action and brimming with romance, making it almost impossible to put down. I was particularly impressed by the intricate magic system and the vivid world-building. Hawley crafts a realm that feels both expansive and immersive, filled with rich details and intriguing lore. The characters are well-developed, each with their own layers of mystery and depth. The court intrigue is top-tier, with plenty of twists to keep you on edge the entire time.

I can’t wait for the next installment in this series—I’m already eagerly anticipating the sequel. Can I get my hands on it now, please?

When I saw that Sarah Hawley had a fantasy book coming out, I got grabby hands. I LOVE her Glimmer Falls series and feel like I am in my fantasy era. I knew I needed to read this one.

And it did not disappoint.

A headstrong human who trips into the world of the Fae must help her mistress to succeed the six deadly trials representing the six houses of Mistei—Fire, Earth, Light, Void, Illusion, and (the many-centuries-banished) Blood—while navigating the different moral code, caste system, and strict ruling regime of the underground Fae kingdom.

Armed with a sentient dagger and her own wits, Kenna soon learns that the trials are not the only dangers that she faces in Mistei.

Y’all, I LOVED this one. I would have read it in one sitting if life responsibilities hadn’t gotten in the way. (Silly responsibilities, always messing with my reading time….)

Here’s a list of words I jotted down while reading this one: loyalty, courage, potential love triangle, HEAT, friendship, testing the bonds of loyalty and friendship, disillusionment, politics, courage, caring, and learning who you can trust.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I received an advance copy of the book from Berkley Publishing and Ace. All review opinions are my own.

I’m obsessed and I need more right now🙃

This is one of those books that just suck you right in and don't let you go until the end. I enjoyed it so much that I'm actually struggling to get into any other fantasy/romantasy books right now because I just want more of Kenna's story.

There are so many interesting characters that have wildly different personalities and motives. I love that each character is well thought out and described, but mysterious and at times difficult to figure out since most are fae so they all pretty much have ulterior motives, talk in riddles, or have grown accustomed to hiding all true emotion. Kenna winds up in very dangerous situations but luckily has a protective and bloodthirsty sentient blade to help her make it through alive. The blade is a character itself and one of my favorites at that. I love their dynamic!

While I wasn't surprised by the twists, I still really enjoyed them as they came up and was happy how they turned out. In a place where Kenna is such a rarity as a human who isn't mute and hidden away to serve, she doesn't really fit anywhere and stands out in many places, not just for that fact but for how strong and proud she is. She's a protector despite being considered the weakest of beings and she's a total badass. I was very invested in the romance too and I won't say too much to avoid any spoilers but there are two fae men who appeal to our FMC in different ways and there's a clear superior choice in my opinion but I'll let y'all make your own(;

The magic system and hierarchy were really detailed and interesting but not difficult to comprehend as you continue through the story. I love the different types of fae and the politics of the houses. Pretty much everything about this book intrigued me and had me wanting to read more. There is so much drama, scheming, betrayal, hidden meanings, passion, danger, adventure - literally everything I want to see in fantasy. While I definitely consider this a romantasy, the first half is more focused on fantasy and worldbuilding, with more tension and pining than passion, but we fully get there too so don't worry!!

🗡️Forbidden romance
🖤Friendship
🗡️Betrayal
🖤Found Family
🗡️Competition
🖤Fae / cool magic system
🗡️Danger & deception
🖤SPICE 🥵🌶️🔥

I highly recommend Servant of Earth to any and everyone - seriously go check it out!! You won't regret it(: But especially to the romantasy lovers; you'll want to make sure this series is on your radar.

Thank you Berkley Publishing / Ace for the DRC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love this cover, this illustration, the giant Sephiroth sword, all of it. It is a Fae court kind of fantasy so ACOTAR fans unite. In fact the plot reminds me of ACOTAR a bit. We have our protagonist Kenna who is a poor village girl in your normal human village when suddenly thrusted into the world of the fae. But there’s political intrigue and discovery, a strong female protagonist who isn’t dumb and is resourceful. Reviewers are really loving this one so far and I did in fact enjoy it myself. I haven’t read a Fae book in years as I kind of got sick of them but this one pulled me back in.

Human girl in a far world is almost always going to be a win for me. Servant of Earth ended up being no exception. I devoured this amazing entry book for a fantasy series. I love when the fantasy prioritizes plot over romance and that’s definitely what happens here. But no worries fellow readers, we have some compelling love interests here! I would say imagine if ACOTAR, The Cruel Prince, and These Hollow Vows had a book baby, well that baby is Servant of Earth. It takes pieces of familiar worlds we know and love and creates something that feels so wholly original. I loved the world building here. The magic system is fascinating. Kenna is a fantastic MC who makes questionable choices but overall is just trying to live to see another day. Respect. Some parts of her story really tugged at my heartstrings.

This was a relatively slow burn that led to an explosive ending. The wait for book 2 is going to be brutal!

Overall, highly recommend to all romantasy fans.

What a book. WHAT A BOOK. I loved this book. Hawley has created such a unique world, a wonderful magic system, and characters that feel so real that you truly get caught up in their successes and failures.

Kenna is a human who has found herself trapped in the Faerie world of Mistei. She is tasked with ensuring her Faerie lady pass six tests designed to determine whether a Faerie is worthy of immortality and their magic. Fail to do so and she'll be killed, or worse.

Through Kenna's eyes we're taken through a journey of discovery, not only of the world of Mistei, but of the faeries she has grown to hate because of their brutality. Throughout the story we see how Kenna begins to see the faeries in a different light, how she begins to align herself with them as she learns that even faeries aren't as free as she once believed.

Torn between seemingly conflicting alliances and allegiances, Kenna has to learn how to navigate faerie politics and magic to keep herself alive, to free herself, and possibly, to free others as well.

There is a brutality to this world that Hawley doesn't shy from, which makes this book stronger. There are some meandering parts that could possibly have been edited shorter, but when the book sings, it truly sings.

♡ Thank you for the free ARC, author Sarah Hawley, Berkley Publishing Group | Ace Books, and NetGalley.

This is one of my top reads of the year, oh my gosh! What a phenomenal crossover into high fantasy for Hawley. I adored her Glimmer Falls paranormal romcom series, but I cannot get this immersive story off my mind. Absolutely unputdownable, I found myself reading this book at home, en route, in queue, and everywhere in between.

In Servant of Earth, Hawley spun a tale full of danger, suspense, magic, love, lust, and devotion. Through straightforward yet spellbinding storytelling, I was held captive in this enchanting, but deadly world. Kenna, our FMC, is brave, clever, and loyal. But she is not the only lovable or remarkable character in this story. With themes such as power, love, found family, change, and healing, this story offers depth and heart.

I cannot wait to see how book two in the Shards of Magic duology wraps up this story. Princess of Blood is set for an October 2025 release.

I've been hype about this book since it was announced. like this was genuinely my most anticipated book of the year so I was absolutely ecstatic to receive a PR box from @acebookspub (I may have teared up a bit when I saw it)

tl;dr: read this book, it's perfect.

my expectations were clearly high, but they were completely exceeded. this is my favorite book that I've read all year. I know everyone compares books to acotar now, but this is very much trial of the sun queen meets acotar. I absolutely savored this book. I read it slowly over the course of a few days opening the envelopes as instructed, and all the bonus content and extra scenes definitely enhanced my reading experience. 🖤

servant of earth is about a human learning to navigate the fae world after great personal loss. in the wake of everything this past week, the messages in this book hit so deep and so good. the slow build of embracing your rage and fighting back where you can in the face of a corrupt regime. both feeling helpless because you're just one person and finding power wherever you can. the importance of love and true friendship to support you as you go. the call to stand up for all people even when they aren't like you. the courage to do the right thing even when it could mean death. and don't forget, a little bit of spice bc this is a romantasy after all.

The fantasy romance fans will love this, it starts out pretty similar to other human girl in a fae world stories but it comes into its own pretty quickly, especially once we get to the fae realm Mistei. The plot follows Kenna, a human girl from a poor village who finds a vaguely homicidal sentient dagger and ends up in the fae realm as a servant in Earth House. The King in Mistei is super corrupt, the plot is dark and violent and there are trials and magic and monsters. There’s romance as well, of course. It gets spicy. It’s not really the point though, tbh I was like okay I was like really invested in the plot blah blah fire prince and his immaculate dick down skills let’s get back to the coup and the trials and the magic pls. Thats just me tho, no shade at the quality of the spice 🤣

Very bingeable romantasy and the beginning of a series. If that’s your jam, def would recommend it! Thanks again to Ace/Berkley/PRH for essentially every format of this book.