Silvercloak was such an unexpected gem for me, genuinely and honestly, it felt like such a refreshing change in the fantasy genre. I didn’t realize how much I needed something like this until I started reading it. It’s bold, gritty, and delightfully unique. From the prologue, I knew I was in for something different. L.K. Steven delivers a story that’s equal parts darkly magical and emotionally layered, and while the plot may have occasionally wandered or lost focus, the sheer originality and immersive world more than made up for it. The vibes, the world, the characters, it all just worked for me. This book is fun. The kind of fun that pulls you in and makes you want to sink into its world, no matter how shadowy or sharp-edged it gets. One of the biggest highlights for me was the world-building. Imagine a wizarding underworld built on pleasure, pain, and power, where magic is replenished through these experiences, and every spell has a cost. So genius, twisted, and fascinating. I loved seeing how far some characters were willing to go for power. The rules of the setting were not only clear and well-established, but also deeply compelling. There’s an almost alchemical mix of organized crime/mafia vibe, queer-normative culture, and high-stakes magical conflict that makes the world feel alive, raw, and completely believable. The story doesn’t shy away from its darker themes, but I think that’s why this book works. Magic, violence, desire, and heartbreak are all woven together in ways that kept me hooked. The emotional highs and lows felt earned, and the final chapters left me breathless like literally, I think I held my breath for the last few chapters. I’m still in shock and awe. I wish I could talk about it without spoiling everything haha. All in all, Silvercloak is something special. It’s clever, creative, and unafraid to get its hands dirty. If you’re looking for a fantasy that steps away from all of the plots we’re used to, this is it. *Thank you to Del Rey for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.