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adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a such a fun fantasy romance ride and I can’t wait for book 2.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Infertility, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, War
Minor: Grief
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Look did I have a good time? Yes. Was it a serious time? Absolutely not. This was romantasy at its romantasy-est! I felt like it was executed well and I was pleasantly surprised at some of the twists and turns.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, War
Moderate: Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.25 stars. I loved this book. It made me giddy, it made me cry, it made me horny. So many emotions. Love. Love. Love! ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Genocide, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Alcohol, Classism
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was fine - your basic human/Fae love story. Throw in elemental/metal magic, swords with names, war with vampires, fated mates, and evil kings/queens, and you’ve got an amalgamation of this decade’s famous romantacies. I didn’t hate reading it but it was predictable.
What I especially didn’t like is something I’ve seen far too much of in recent fantasies: one character (usually the Fae) taking away another character’s free will and ability to consent. To her credit, Saeris is great at expressing herself and telling others how she feels. Not that Fisher cared. It’s triggering to read about an overpowering man tricking a woman into giving up her autonomy and then refusing to give it back. I hate that it’s such a pervasive storyline in fated mates fantasy, and that characters that have been alive for thousands of years don’t understand how wrong it is. It’s frustrating that a 20-something has to explain it to a character that’s supposed to be “all-knowing.” Plus, even Saeris has to be taught a consent lesson from fucking Carrion because it never occurs to her to ask a sentient object for something instead of commanding it. Like, we can be stubborn and demanding without taking away someone’s right to choose.
Additionally, I am not sure if fated mates tropes are for me anymore - at least not the way they all seem to be written. I can’t stand knowing from their first meeting that two characters are mates and then having to wait for 80% of the book before the “clever, witty” FMC finally figures it out.
I liked Saeris more when she was dying of dehydration in the Third Ward than when she was “forced” to put on pretty dresses in the winter kingdom or when shes banging Fisher in his childhood home.
The author could have really leaned into the science behind quicksilver/metal magic, but that was only explored on the surface level. We could’ve had a much deeper understanding of the religion, but it’s just 7 random gods we get introduced to, forget about, and then suddenly become relevant.
Now that I’m reflecting on it, this felt like ACOMAF and ACOWAR plus vampires and a loose religious system. Like I said, it was an easy read that I didn’t hate, but I don’t think it deserves the social media hype it’s getting.
What I especially didn’t like is something I’ve seen far too much of in recent fantasies: one character (usually the Fae) taking away another character’s free will and ability to consent. To her credit, Saeris is great at expressing herself and telling others how she feels. Not that Fisher cared. It’s triggering to read about an overpowering man tricking a woman into giving up her autonomy and then refusing to give it back. I hate that it’s such a pervasive storyline in fated mates fantasy, and that characters that have been alive for thousands of years don’t understand how wrong it is. It’s frustrating that a 20-something has to explain it to a character that’s supposed to be “all-knowing.” Plus, even Saeris has to be taught a consent lesson from fucking Carrion because it never occurs to her to ask a sentient object for something instead of commanding it. Like, we can be stubborn and demanding without taking away someone’s right to choose.
Additionally, I am not sure if fated mates tropes are for me anymore - at least not the way they all seem to be written. I can’t stand knowing from their first meeting that two characters are mates and then having to wait for 80% of the book before the “clever, witty” FMC finally figures it out.
I liked Saeris more when she was dying of dehydration in the Third Ward than when she was “forced” to put on pretty dresses in the winter kingdom or when shes banging Fisher in his childhood home.
The author could have really leaned into the science behind quicksilver/metal magic, but that was only explored on the surface level. We could’ve had a much deeper understanding of the religion, but it’s just 7 random gods we get introduced to, forget about, and then suddenly become relevant.
Now that I’m reflecting on it, this felt like ACOMAF and ACOWAR plus vampires and a loose religious system. Like I said, it was an easy read that I didn’t hate, but I don’t think it deserves the social media hype it’s getting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Cursing
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Do you believe in fate?
After seeing several social media posts and videos extolling the virtues of author Callie Hart’s first book in The Fae & Alchemy series I decided to take the day off from my normal ARC reading/reviewing schedule to give it a read. What can I say? I had bad FOMO. I’ve come to realize that while I’ve been spending most of my time doing trad pub ARC reading, I’ve been missing out on a lot of great releases from the indie publishing world. I decided not to miss out on this one.
I’m so happy I took the day off for Quicksilver. I haven’t felt like this about a romantasy in a long time. Have I loved other romantasies as much as this? Yes, but in a different way. Quicksilver is the type of romantasy I love best: quick-witted, fast-paced, action-packed, spicy, funny, rude, two grumpy and traumatized main characters/love interests, no love triangle, tortured hearts, sexual tension and chemistry for days, protective streaks for days, stubborn and self-sacrificing idiots, and a healthy amount of snark.
🩶 What to expect 🩶
🍒 Enemies to lovers
💣 Fish out of water
🍒 (Very) reluctant allies
💣 Working together for the greater good
🍒 Violent/slightly instant Fae MMC
💣 Strong/multifaceted FMC
🍒 Portal fantasy
💣 Pretty unique magic system (IMO)
🍒 Forced proximity
💣 Touch her & die
🍒 Touch him & die
💣 Slow burn but some serious UST
🍒 Filthy talk
💣 Addictive banter
🍒 Ends on a quasi-cliffhanger
💣 Parents suck
🍒 Protective older siblings
💣 Found family
🍒 Really cool alchemy stuff
You won’t be able to stop yourself from falling in love with our main characters and the main supporting cast. Kingfisher is holding onto a lifetime’s worth of pain and secrets. He’s carrying more guilt within him than any one person should ever be asked to. He’s had to see unspeakable things and been forced to do unspeakable things to save the realm. It’s all been done for a larger and greater purpose, but he’s had to wait for so long. He’s so angry with good reason. Saeris has been through more trauma in her short life than anyone should be expected to go through. Her father was killed early in her life and then she had to basically raise her brother while her mother worked as best she can while spiraling in her anger until she was killed, leaving Saeris and her brother orphaned and homeless in a now-quarantined ward of the city where water is rationed to a small amount a day and food is scarce. She’s desperate to get herself and her brother out of their ward. Like Icarus, her hubris leads her toward death, which leads her to someplace she thought was only a children’s story. These two are very similar once they realize they’ll need to work together. They go on as trapped people always have, rolling up their metaphorical sleeves and working the problem in front of them. One problem at a time.
Watching the relationship between these two develop is like capturing lightning in a bottle. A lot of books are marketed as enemies-to-lovers but aren’t really when you examine the dynamic. Kingfisher and Saeris are truly enemies-to-lovers: It’s mutual loathing at first sight that continues for a good chunk of the first act before it starts to evolve. Kingfisher hates the fragility of humans and doesn’t care about anything Saeris is invested in. Saeris was raised in a kingdom where the Fae were only bedtime stories and now she’s being held captive by their king. They also make her wear dresses. With corsets. But there’s an invisible string between these two from the start, and that tension is so nice. It’s even nicer once they start to thaw toward one another. When the spice starts to kick in? It’s so worth every bit of angst and conflict that came before. An unbelievable payoff.
If you love adult romantasy I recommend you take the time to read this before a smart trad pub house picks it up for publication. It’s amazing and you won’t regret it. I’m going to be waiting with baited breath for the sequel, which is supposed to come out in fall 2024.
File Under: 5 Star Review/Adult Fantasy/Book Series/Dark Fantasy/Romantasy/Fantasy Series/First Book in Fantasy Series/Found Family/Kindle Unlimited/Spice Level 2
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Death of parent, War, Classism
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence