Silvercloak is a dazzling blend of mafia intrigue and wizardry. It’s a harsh world, but a captivating story about power and who gets to wield it. Personally, I couldn’t put the book down—I devoured it. Levan quickly became a favorite of mine; I think I might have seriously fallen for him. The author did an outstanding job of making me question so much of his motives—bravo to you for that.

Now, here's where I have a few more thoughts. Saffron, in the beginning, is sharp, calculating, nostalgic, purposeful, and grieving. Her character is beautifully complex, especially when it comes to her revenge plot. However, once she enters the Bloodcloaks, it’s as if she loses all sense of intelligence. She becomes one of the worst spies ever.

I don’t mind when a character is overconfident in their abilities only to fail spectacularly—that can be amusing—but Saffron's decisions really frustrated me. She was so reckless, and personally, I didn’t feel the conviction behind her desire to be a spy was compelling enough to justify her actions. I wish there had been stronger reasons driving her. I’m especially annoyed by her decisions, knowing how badly things can go, yet she presses on anyway.

So, my hope for the next book is that Saffron becomes much smarter and tougher. As for Levan, keep being you—I’m all in on your character. Overall, I’m deeply invested in this series now, but please, strengthen Saffron’s reasoning and decision-making!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this AMAZING eARC!!

his was my first read by Laura Steven, and I’m honestly wondering where this book has been all my life. If you loved Harry Potter, this will absolutely scratch that same magical itch—only better, with adult characters and a fresh, captivating world.

The fact that the characters are grown adults navigating magic, life, and everything in between instantly set this apart for me. Saffron (Saff) is such a standout—witty, determined, and impossible not to root for. The world-building is rich, the magic system feels original, and the whole story was an absolute joy to read from start to finish.

I’m already planning my reread and recommending this to everyone I know. I need more of this world, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Let me say this upfront: 6/5 stars highlight. My mind is blown. What will I do with myself now?

This book is perfection start to finish. A magic system with wands, spells and potions. Magical powers that are fueled by pleasure and pain.
Saffron is a Silvercloak aka one of the good guys. And also has a secret, because she is immune to magic. Levan is a Bloodmoon aka one of the bad guys. And also the kingpin's son.
Yes, this is a Mafia-esque story. And while I'm not too keen on Mafia stories, I loved this book with all my heart.

Saffron goes undercover with the Bloodmoons, and dangerous doesn't even begin to describe it. But things are not as they seem, and she puts everything at risk for the mission, and herself.

Oh, did I mention Timeweaving? Well yes there is the forbidden power of manipulating time, but don't worry, the timey-wimey is not used willy-nilly, it's with plan and woven into a tight - and did I already say perfect? - story.

The ending was all I wished for and also not what I expected. I need book 2 now!

Between this book and Our Infinite Fates, @LauraSteven has become an auto-buy author for me, who I trust completely with any story.

5/5 stars (and more if possible)

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse @delreybooks for the eARC!

#Silvercloak #Netgalley #Bookstagram

I'm tapping out at 60%. I skipped to the ending and guessed early on how this would end and I was correct. I hate this trope...
I started out really like this, and then everything that happened was either too convenient or added at the last seconds an after thought to fix a plot hole. Lazy writing and storytelling. For an Adult book, it came across rather juvenile and surface level. I also felt no connection whatsoever between the main characters.
I'm rather bummed because I was looking forward to this. I'm sure plenty of readers will love it. I just didn't.

In an oversimplified summary, Silvercloak is an undercover cop-crime thriller that is set in a fantasy world of magic that is fueled by extreme emotions (i.e. gratification, suffering), but below the surface it is much more complicated. It begins with a young woman who looses her parents to racketeers and killers as a child; growing up with the singular goal to get justice or maybe revenge. Her goal takes her all the way to an elite detective force where she is offered the chance to infiltrate the gang that she is after. But, much like the old idiom suggests, our protagonist, Saff's best laid plans veer off course time and again. Some of the complications stem from Staff's own magical abilities; some from the main antagonist, Levan; and then there is the time rewind feature that makes the usual twists and curves feel a bit like spirals. This story was a delightful escape that balanced an crime procedural with a bit of romance in a world of magic. The twist at the end that spirals through to the epilogue cinched my need to read the sequel.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

UGH I loved this. I finished her other book last week and I have been hand selling it since Tuesday. I was so stocked to see she has another book and I couldn't wait to pick this one up. It was everything I could have wanted! It was a like an adult Harry Potter but better and bisexual. I also really appreciate the queer and body positive reality this world has and how casual and normative Steven makes it. The end plot twist was actually something I was not expecting. I thought it was going to be the "oh I betrayed him and now he will hate me" BUT NO he was also betraying her. It made it much more layered and the plot kept twisting. I can't wait for the next one!

I was really excited to read this book, especially after how much I loved the author's recent YA novel. While there were elements I genuinely enjoyed, sadly this title didn't quite live up to my expectations. I mean, it’s not a very bad book—I just hoped for something extraordinary. And unfortunately, this one fell short.

First of all, I must say that I really liked the general idea behind the novel. The premise is exciting, featuring a female protagonist who infiltrates a criminal organization to seek revenge for her parents. All of this unfolds in a unique and intriguing world where magic is derived from pain or pleasure, with elements reminiscent of Harry Potter, such as wands and spellcasting.

Unfortunately, despite the promising idea, there are several aspects of the book that were poorly executed. What bothered me the most was the fact that, even though this is an adult novel, it still reads like young adult fiction—albeit with gruesome scenes and explicit content. The characters don't feel mature or complex enough, and the story itself lacks the depth I would expect from an adult novel. It’s clear that Laura Steven does not really have experience in writing epic adult fantasy books.

The writing isn't all bad, but there are sections that feel clunky—especially at the beginning, where the magic system and worldbuilding are explicitly explained. While this may have been intended to clarify the rules, it often comes across as overexposition and disrupts the flow of the plot.

There is a romance in the story, and paradoxically, it might be my favorite element, even though it strongly resembles a dark romance, which isn't really my thing. The pain-pleasure aspects make the relationship between Saffon and Levan more convincing, and I think this was executed very well. However, what bothered me and, to some extent, hindered my enjoyment of the dynamic between the characters was the plot armor around the FMC. I won’t go into detail to avoid spoilers, but let's just say this: the protagonist infiltrates a very dangerous organization that does gruesome things, yet her experience there is far less harrowing than it should be, given the circumstances. Simply put, it wasn't plausible enough, which caused the middle of the book to drag for me, and I even considered DNFing. Fortunately, this changed in the second half of the book, which was much stronger, with some revelations I enjoyed. Honestly, the last 30% saved the whole experience for me—I was quite hooked, as this was the level I had expected. However, the way the book ends (literally the last 2-3 pages) left me feeling a bit icky again. It felt very naive and, once again, not mature or complex enough for an adult novel.

All in all, this isn't a terrible book, and I'm certain many people will love it. It just missed the mark for me. That said, I believe most of its issues could be addressed in the sequel. I'll read the next installment, hoping it will improve.

⭐ 1/5 stars - DNF at 72%
I found myself checking "time remaining" constantly while reading this book. Finally gave up at 72% because the frustration wasn't worth it.
Saffron's (Saff's) characterization makes no sense. One moment she's completely outmaneuvered by the antagonist (who straight-up tells her "You're not as clever as you think you are" after she accidentally reveals her friends' vulnerabilities), then just pages later she's congratulating herself on being excellent at reading people.

The magic system has zero consistency. She gets exhausted from maintaining a single illusion but later casually mentions that timeweaving doesn't tire her at all. The author seems unable to keep track of her own rules from chapter to chapter.

Secondary characters fare no better. Nissa fails torture training (which becomes a major plot point), then is immediately described as "indomitable" with "emotional culverts" that drain away trauma. Around 60% into the book, the protagonist suddenly professes deep love for Nissa with almost no friendship development shown on the page.

The worldbuilding is a confusing info-dump from page one - Silver Cloaks, Bloodmoons, religious organizations, magic classes, and an academy trial the protagonist has supposedly worked toward for decades, all thrown at the reader with no clarity about why any of it matters.
The romance is unconvincing. Saff and Levan are never established as equals, yet during a kiss scene the text suddenly declares them "two equals, two halves of one whole." The intimate scenes read awkwardly, with characters essentially pointing wands and muttering spells at each other.

The kingpin antagonist is described as having "no threads of affection to tug" before immediately showing remorse. The author tries to explain this away by calling him "highly erratic, a walking contradiction" - but that reads more like inconsistent writing than complex characterization.

This book feels like a first draft that needed significant editing. When an author can't keep track of their own story, it's impossible for readers to stay engaged.

This is the epic fantasy kickoff I didn’t know I needed, and now I’m absolutely hooked. From the very first page, this book pulls you into a world brimming with magic, spells flying, high stakes, and dark forces so intense they make the Death Eaters look like child’s play.

It’s action-packed, twist after twist, with no holding back. The world-building feels vast, like the start of something massive, an entire universe ready to be unveiled. I can already see this becoming the next big thing in adult fantasy, with merch, cosplay, and an entire fandom rallying behind it. If you grew up with Harry Potter and crave that same immersive, magical thrill but on a whole new level, Silvercloak is your next obsession.

I need book two ASAP!!!!

I had taken a break from academy type romantasies, but when I read the description of this one - I had to add this to my TBR. I absolutely loved this author's writing style, the way they wrote drew me into the world and so I could not put this book down once I started it. I read it in one go until 3 am because the plot was just edge-of-your-seat addicting. The characters were amazing, I loved reading their development throughout the story. Do I have regrets getting two hours of sleep that night? Absolutely not because this book is worth it, and it's only the beginning, I need the next book ASAP! Highly recommend adding this to your TBR. Plus that cover is awesome!

If you're planning to read this series, check the content warnings for some intense scenes. There’s a lot of deception, enemies-to-lovers tension, and high stakes, which I really enjoyed, especially with characters in their late twenties to early thirties. After the last chapter and epilogue, I’m definitely continuing with the series to see how it all unfolds!

The magic system centered on pleasure and pain is really about grief, and the author nails that theme, especially around parental loss. The enemies-to-lovers relationship evolves naturally, and I loved the attention to small details, like the world-specific language and sharp dialogue, which made the reading experience engaging.

However, the "hurt me, then" dynamic didn’t work for me. It focused more on physical attraction than emotional depth, which made the relationship feel possessive and distanced me from the characters. The pacing also felt off—sometimes too long, sometimes too short—and I didn’t get enough time with some characters to care when they were gone. I also wasn’t a fan of modern slang in a non-urban fantasy setting, which pulled me out of the story.

Despite these issues, the ending was strong enough to keep me interested, and I’ll definitely be picking up book 2 to see where it goes.

Thank you to L. K. Steven, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this - the world building was rich and the magic system based on pleasure / pain was unique. The pacing also worked well. I did find at times thinking certain characters had a lot of plot armour - if you’re an omniscient character, how would you not know certain things are happening? I think you can also tell this is an adult debut as it felt very YA with sex scenes. There are also a lot of similarities with Harry Potter but J. K. Rowling nicked like 80% of her books so that’s just the circle of life. A solid 3.5/3.75 at the moment.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for granting me an e-arc!
Saw an email letting me know that I was offered early access to Silvercloak and was intrigued by the synopsis. Thoroughly enjoyed this book that I read it in about a day!
I haven't heard of this book title or author before and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by it. I am rating this a 4.5/5 stars

I read a few reviews about Silvercloak about it being like an adult Harry Potter x mafia/organized crime and I do agree with this comparison. With wands and spell incantations I was definitely enjoying the vibes.
Do check tw/cws since there are some scenes that could be intense.
Lots of deception, enemies to lovers, and definitely high stakes here. I also enjoyed that the characters are around their late twenties to early thirties.
After the last chapter and epilogue, I am definitely going to continue on with the series as I need to know how it all works out!

This book is about a system of magic that's contingent on pleasure and pain, but really it's about grief, and the author absolutely nailed that theme. Parental loss is perhaps the most common "tragic backstory" in fantasy, but this book really lives in the aftermath of it in a way a lot of other fantasies don't. How much violence could you justify committing to get your parents back? To avenge their deaths? How does that trauma warp you? Saffron and Levan, two sides of the same coin, show every ugly, devastating aspect of this. I loved the magic, I loved the proper enemies to lovers, I loved that the FMC was almost six feet tall. I still feel like I'm lingering in the world even after I've put the book down. Romantasy is such a buzzy genre, but so few books live up to their premise -- this one does, because the characters felt so completely human. I am so excited for Steven to continue with this series, but even more than that, I'm excited for people to get their hands on this book. I have a feeling it's going to spawn a huge fanbase and I cannot wait to reap the rewards of that aka beautiful fanart of Saffron and Levan, all the devastating Spotify playlists I'm sure people will make, everything. I already know this is gonna be a stand out for the year.

I really enjoyed reading this—the story itself was super engaging, and I loved uncovering secrets alongside the MC. The magic system, based on pleasure and pain, was a simple yet brilliantly executed concept that felt like an organic part of the world-building.

I especially appreciated that, despite the MC being strong and sometimes sassy (a trope often highlighted in romantasy but not always well executed), not everything came easily to her. She had to actively navigate dangerous situations, showing rather than just telling the reader how capable she was. I fully believed in her character, her trauma, and her emotions—and the same goes for the MMC.

This story felt like a true enemies-to-lovers, with their relationship evolving naturally, step by step. I also loved the author's attention to small details, like swapping modern swear words and exclamations for ones that fit seamlessly into the world she created. That, along with her prose and sharp dialogue, made for an amazing reading experience.

I can’t wait for the second book!

This book has been generating a lot of buzz in the fantasy community.
I was eager to dive in, especially with its intriguing premise and the hype surrounding it. However, I found myself struggling to connect with it.

A book needs to capture me early on, to
pull me into its world and make me care
about the story, the characters, or even just
the atmosphere.
This book, however, failed to do that. While I understood the plot and followed the events, I never felt invested.
My mind drifted, I found myself rereading passages not because they were profound,
but because I wasn't paying attention the
first time. In the end, I finished it, but it felt
like had simply processed words rather
than experienced a story.

What Didn't Work for Me:

The concept of magic being fueled by pleasure and pain was unique, but personally, it made me uncomfortable. I often find that adult fantasy leans too heavily into sexual themes, and this was no exception.

I didn’t click with the romance subplot at all. The dark-haired, morally grey male lead has been done a lot, and this version didn’t bring anything fresh to the trope.
The whole "hurt me, then" dynamic just isn’t for me—it focused more about physical attraction and dominance than emotional depth. It felt possessive and further distanced me from the characters and their relationships.



Potential Positives for Other Readers:
While the book didn't align with my preferences, there are aspects that others might appreciate:

While the story didn’t grip me, I did appreciate the world itself. The setting was rich and well-developed, and the way magic worked was interesting (even if I personally didn’t enjoy the pleasure/pain aspect). The mechanics of it were well thought out, and I can see how people who like darker fantasy elements would be into it.

L.K. Steven’s writing is solid, and I never had an issue with the pacing or structure. Even though I wasn’t emotionally invested, I never felt like the book was badly written—it just wasn’t the right fit for me.



Conclusion:

Silvercloak didn't resonate with me personally. It lacked the emotional connection I need to really feel a story. I finished it, but I never felt hooked.

Yet, I still recognize that it offers unique elements that may appeal to other readers. If you're intrigued by an innovative magic system, rich world-building, and diverse representation, this book might be worth exploring.
However, if you share my reservations about certain tropes and themes, you might approach it with caution.


Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book …. Wow I feel like I’m still processing that ending!

I will start by saying I really loved this book. The world and magic system building is so in depth you truly get a feel for how it works. The story focuses on a young Silvercloak who is hellbent on revenge against the Bloodmoons who murdered her parents. After being discovered for deceiving the academy in order to continue her training, she is sent deep undercover in the Bloodmoons organization with the goal of gathering information to cripple them. However, working with a certain handsome member of the organization causes bonds to grow that make her question her decisions. Is everything truly as similar as black and white, right and wrong, good and evil? Or is there humanizing history behind every villain’s origins story?

This is an action pack fantasy that will keep you on your toes wondering what her next move will be and asking yourself, what would you choose in that situation. Highly recommend!

Harry potters red flag evil twin that you can’t help but want… meets the dirty dark underbelly world of mafia magic. Silver cloak is a weird but wonderful balance between whimsy and brutal violence with a few kitty cats added in for good measure. If you love a badassFMC who is set on revenge no matter the costs then silver cloak is for you.

Spoiler-free review: Silvercloak
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Omfg this book was INCREDIBLE. I was in a constant battle between not being able to put it down and also not wanting it to end! The world building was spectacular, characters so likable, and plot absolutely fascinating. I was hooked from the start and thought the pacing was spot-on, keeping me engaged throughout (I seriously couldn’t put the book down).

Steven’s’ writing is so intentional and detailed. In terms of plot, Saff is a detective tasked with going undercover to infiltrate a deadly gang (which happens to be responsible for her parents’ deaths 20 years prior), though she finds herself questioning loyalty when desire for the leader’s son takes root. I adore both of the main characters and boy oh boy is their tension juicy. There are prophecies, cloaks and wands, and such cool variants of magic. The magic system overall was creative and exciting, with their “wells” being replenished by pain or pleasure. Makes for some super interesting situations *blush and giggle* Plus I love the inclusion and queer representation in this book.

I genuinely think will be one of the best fantasy books coming out this year and everyone should preorder Silvercloak, coming out July 2025! I will also likely continue to yap about it sorry not sorry. Laura Steven is a genius.

Thank you SO very much to Laura Steven, Del Ray, and NetGalley for the eARC - The opinions in this review are left here honestly & voluntarily.

This one is super hard for me to rate, because parts of this story were great. This was the perfect enemies to lovers set up. Truly enemies and a lot of great betrayal and intrigue. I really enjoyed how the MMC's character unfurled over the story, especially at the very end. The magic system was easy to follow, and the world was uncomplicated. I really liked the beginning at the school (I love a deadly school) learning the cast of characters. But then those characters disappeared abruptly? And then were picked off one by one, and I was supposed to care about them? I didn't have enough time with them to feel strongly. And I felt like all the pieces fell into Saff's hands way too easily? Like this story simultaneously felt way too long and also not long enough. I wanted her to face more trouble infiltrating the bloodmoons? And my biggest pet peeve in fantasy reading is mondern slang in a non-urban fantasy world. I caught multiple sayings that I really didn't feel belonged in the setting, and it took me out of the context multiple times.

That being said, the ending was strong enough for me that I definitely want to see where the rest of the story goes. So I will pick up book 2.