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A review by breabooks
Silvercloak by L.K. Steven, Laura Steven
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I fear that I am going to be disappointed in the majority of the books I read this year after finishing this banger.
No, but seriously. This story is an insanely complex and dark narrative about the struggle to find one’s place in a world in which power is fueled by pleasure and pain. Saffron watched her parents death at the hands of the Bloodmoons, a fringe organization kept afloat by crimes that cannot be proven. Saffron becomes a Silvercloak, the “police” of this world, with the ultimate goal of bringing down the Bloodmoons. The exit exam reveals her huge secret, which allows her to go undercover in hopes of destroying the Bloodmoons from the inside.
The premise itself is promising, but the depth of this story is incredible. I want to say it’s a dark Harry Potter, but it doesn’t even compare. Magic is wielded through wands, but replenished through pleasure and pain. The resulting world is incredibly sex-positive with very, very dark edges. Saffron’s every move is compelled by her traumatic beginnings. Grief, ptsd, and overall trauma are thoughtfully explored themes. The idea of timeweaving - or turning the clock on time itself - is a fun concept that is woven throughout the story. Oh, the world building! Like I said before, it’s complex but oh so compelling. The characters are all adults (at least 26 years of age) and function as adults with layered feelings and the ability to think through their problems. It’s so refreshing. Saffron’s self-preservation through banter is hilarious. The romance is great. The ending has me yearning for the next book - and for some fresh therapy.
This book is for anyone who enjoyed a rich but twisted and dark narrative, fantasy, mafia vibes, and unique magic/world building with lush imagery.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the gifted eARC.
No, but seriously. This story is an insanely complex and dark narrative about the struggle to find one’s place in a world in which power is fueled by pleasure and pain. Saffron watched her parents death at the hands of the Bloodmoons, a fringe organization kept afloat by crimes that cannot be proven. Saffron becomes a Silvercloak, the “police” of this world, with the ultimate goal of bringing down the Bloodmoons. The exit exam reveals her huge secret, which allows her to go undercover in hopes of destroying the Bloodmoons from the inside.
The premise itself is promising, but the depth of this story is incredible. I want to say it’s a dark Harry Potter, but it doesn’t even compare. Magic is wielded through wands, but replenished through pleasure and pain. The resulting world is incredibly sex-positive with very, very dark edges. Saffron’s every move is compelled by her traumatic beginnings. Grief, ptsd, and overall trauma are thoughtfully explored themes. The idea of timeweaving - or turning the clock on time itself - is a fun concept that is woven throughout the story. Oh, the world building! Like I said before, it’s complex but oh so compelling. The characters are all adults (at least 26 years of age) and function as adults with layered feelings and the ability to think through their problems. It’s so refreshing. Saffron’s self-preservation through banter is hilarious. The romance is great. The ending has me yearning for the next book - and for some fresh therapy.
This book is for anyone who enjoyed a rich but twisted and dark narrative, fantasy, mafia vibes, and unique magic/world building with lush imagery.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the gifted eARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Death of parent