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The Nightingale Witches #1
Season of Fire
In a world of rigid expectations and dazzling balls, twenty-three-year-old Rose Worthington would rather manage her family’s country estate than participate in London’s high society. When her latent magical abilities begin to flare—shattering glass and scorching walls—she struggles to conceal her powers. But she can’t hide from Lady Nightingale, the mysterious leader of a secret society of witches, who offers Rose a way to control her powers and navigate the perils of society.
As whispers of witch hunters prowling the streets grow louder, Rose must navigate the treacherous world of the social elite, hiding her powers from those who seek to destroy her kind. She shouldn’t be pining for Philip, childhood friend left behind in the country, or spending so much time with Lord Alexander Crawford, the season’s most eligible bachelor.
Torn between love and loyalty, Rose’s attempts to prove herself within the Nightingales lead to a dangerous mistake. With her newfound sisterhood at risk and witch hunters closing in, she must decide who she can trust—and how far she’s willing to go to protect her magic before it’s too late.
As whispers of witch hunters prowling the streets grow louder, Rose must navigate the treacherous world of the social elite, hiding her powers from those who seek to destroy her kind. She shouldn’t be pining for Philip, childhood friend left behind in the country, or spending so much time with Lord Alexander Crawford, the season’s most eligible bachelor.
Torn between love and loyalty, Rose’s attempts to prove herself within the Nightingales lead to a dangerous mistake. With her newfound sisterhood at risk and witch hunters closing in, she must decide who she can trust—and how far she’s willing to go to protect her magic before it’s too late.
370 pages, Hardcover
Published February 25, 2025
25 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Cidney Mayes
9 books38 followersCidney Mayes is a teacher librarian and writer of speculative fiction from Portland, Maine. She is currently earning her MFA from Southern New Hampshire University. With over a decade of book review experience, she decided to write the stories she’s always wanted to read. Her work explores themes of feminism and power amidst lush, dark, and often magical settings. When not writing, you can find her playing board games and video games, walking in the woods, or watching reality TV with her husband and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 7, 2025
Follow the whimsical wonderful world of The Nightingale’s in regency England.
I was concerned at the beginning in regards to the setting, since the book is a period piece. Many books tend to excuse the language and verbiage they used during a certain time period, so I prepared myself for modern expressions and phrases. I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn’t the case. It’s evident that Cidney Mayes did a lot of research for Season of Fire and I commend her greatly! I felt like I was transported into Rose’s world. It’s a great experience and ties together the fantasy world Cidney creates.
With that being said, Season of Fire is riveting, captivating and enchanting. I found myself to be completely engaged throughout the entirety of the book. For a debut novel, Cidney Mayes really paints the picture of the story, time period, and characters she was going for here.
The plot is interesting and really captures the way women find comfort with each other, especially during this time when the patriarchy tried to tear us down and place us in roles that limit our ability and power. This is paralleled in the story with Rose herself, as her hidden powers are suppressed and letting it free with her new found friends, The Nightingales, is the only way to feel complete.
Rose is a fantastic main character and she really brings this certain depth that I found relatable. I also think Cidney did an elegant job at representing grief and depression without telling the reader outright that Rose is dealing with grief and depression. The descriptions and wording that Cidney uses to describe the deep innermost part of Rose’s thoughts and feelings made me feel for her and put words to feelings I had felt myself.
And to combat the empathy I have for Rose, is a wonderfully written antagonist. I love how we know exactly who the villain is from the beginning, making me hate him but also love him.
It’s a complicated dynamic….
He’s so evil, but that just makes him such a good character. And of course there are other men, but I couldn’t forget Cornelius.
The plot is well executed, it’s not too fast paced and not too sluggish. And while the romance is slow burning, the feeling of “Will the witch hunters find them out?” played in my head. This thought kept me on the edge of my seat.
This is by far the longest review I have ever written for a book, but that’s because there’s just so many things I have to say.
I will be keeping an eye out for more work by Cidney Mayes. I think everyone should.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was concerned at the beginning in regards to the setting, since the book is a period piece. Many books tend to excuse the language and verbiage they used during a certain time period, so I prepared myself for modern expressions and phrases. I was pleasantly surprised that this wasn’t the case. It’s evident that Cidney Mayes did a lot of research for Season of Fire and I commend her greatly! I felt like I was transported into Rose’s world. It’s a great experience and ties together the fantasy world Cidney creates.
With that being said, Season of Fire is riveting, captivating and enchanting. I found myself to be completely engaged throughout the entirety of the book. For a debut novel, Cidney Mayes really paints the picture of the story, time period, and characters she was going for here.
The plot is interesting and really captures the way women find comfort with each other, especially during this time when the patriarchy tried to tear us down and place us in roles that limit our ability and power. This is paralleled in the story with Rose herself, as her hidden powers are suppressed and letting it free with her new found friends, The Nightingales, is the only way to feel complete.
Rose is a fantastic main character and she really brings this certain depth that I found relatable. I also think Cidney did an elegant job at representing grief and depression without telling the reader outright that Rose is dealing with grief and depression. The descriptions and wording that Cidney uses to describe the deep innermost part of Rose’s thoughts and feelings made me feel for her and put words to feelings I had felt myself.
And to combat the empathy I have for Rose, is a wonderfully written antagonist. I love how we know exactly who the villain is from the beginning, making me hate him but also love him.
It’s a complicated dynamic….
He’s so evil, but that just makes him such a good character. And of course there are other men, but I couldn’t forget Cornelius.
The plot is well executed, it’s not too fast paced and not too sluggish. And while the romance is slow burning, the feeling of “Will the witch hunters find them out?” played in my head. This thought kept me on the edge of my seat.
This is by far the longest review I have ever written for a book, but that’s because there’s just so many things I have to say.
I will be keeping an eye out for more work by Cidney Mayes. I think everyone should.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 2, 2025
A regency-era romance combined with a secret society of witches? Absolutely perfect blend! "Season of Fire" masterfully weaves supernatural elements into the glittering world of Regency London. At its heart stands Rose Worthington, a pragmatic 23-year-old who finds more satisfaction in balancing ledgers than practicing quadrilles. When a mysterious cousin arrives and her latent magical abilities suddenly manifest, Rose's carefully ordered world transforms into one of shadowy covens and deadly intrigue.
The magic system feels both fresh and historically grounded. The author brilliantly contrasts the rigid social hierarchy of 19th-century London with the hidden matriarchal power structure of the Nightingales, a centuries-old witch society led by the mysterious Lady Nightingale. I especially loved how magic is woven into everyday women's work—turning things like gardening into sources of power. Lady Nightingale and her ancient society of witches offer Rose a completely different kind of influence than the ballrooms and drawing rooms of the ton.
What elevates "Season of Fire" beyond standard historical fantasy is its nuanced exploration of female agency in Regency-era England. I'm always drawn to books that explore women's roles in history, and this one does so beautifully. Rose's struggle to reconcile her magical abilities with societal expectations mirrors the very real constraints faced by women of the era. Her initial desire to manage the family estate evolves into a broader questioning of why women's power—both magical and mundane—is so feared and suppressed.
This enchanting debut will appeal to fans of both historical fiction and fantasy. The promised sequel cannot arrive soon enough.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The magic system feels both fresh and historically grounded. The author brilliantly contrasts the rigid social hierarchy of 19th-century London with the hidden matriarchal power structure of the Nightingales, a centuries-old witch society led by the mysterious Lady Nightingale. I especially loved how magic is woven into everyday women's work—turning things like gardening into sources of power. Lady Nightingale and her ancient society of witches offer Rose a completely different kind of influence than the ballrooms and drawing rooms of the ton.
What elevates "Season of Fire" beyond standard historical fantasy is its nuanced exploration of female agency in Regency-era England. I'm always drawn to books that explore women's roles in history, and this one does so beautifully. Rose's struggle to reconcile her magical abilities with societal expectations mirrors the very real constraints faced by women of the era. Her initial desire to manage the family estate evolves into a broader questioning of why women's power—both magical and mundane—is so feared and suppressed.
This enchanting debut will appeal to fans of both historical fiction and fantasy. The promised sequel cannot arrive soon enough.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 11, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really enjoyed following Rose’s adventure! The style of prose was excellent and descriptive; I especially liked the details given related to settings, as I could clearly picture every room (and the description of the library was absolutely enchanting). The magic system was also defined clearly, and I thought it was quite intriguing! The idea of magic being a tapestry weaving everything together made for some lovely and evocative moments.
The pacing towards the end felt a little off. I understand this is the first book in the series, but the driving conflict around the witch hunters really only came into play in the last few chapters, with everything happening really quickly in comparison to the first 85% of the book. I also didn’t really buy the romance between Rose and Philip. Rose has been in love with him since before the book starts, so it just felt like we were being told how much she loved him, instead of really being able to see it. There was one flashback that helped with this, but it wasn’t really enough to make me Team Philip (personally, I thought Alexander was much more interesting).
I really enjoyed following Rose’s adventure! The style of prose was excellent and descriptive; I especially liked the details given related to settings, as I could clearly picture every room (and the description of the library was absolutely enchanting). The magic system was also defined clearly, and I thought it was quite intriguing! The idea of magic being a tapestry weaving everything together made for some lovely and evocative moments.
The pacing towards the end felt a little off. I understand this is the first book in the series, but the driving conflict around the witch hunters really only came into play in the last few chapters, with everything happening really quickly in comparison to the first 85% of the book. I also didn’t really buy the romance between Rose and Philip. Rose has been in love with him since before the book starts, so it just felt like we were being told how much she loved him, instead of really being able to see it. There was one flashback that helped with this, but it wasn’t really enough to make me Team Philip (personally, I thought Alexander was much more interesting).
February 21, 2025
This Reviewer Received an ARC of this book courtesy of Book Sirens and Crow Quill Publishing in exchange for an honest review
My experience with this novel was very conflicting. Season of Fire feels like following Eloise Bridgerton after she has found out she is secretly a witch. The novel follows Rose a girl who loves her quiet life in the country and wants independence, but has found herself thrust into London society against her will. The beginning of this novel felt extremely rushed and I don’t know if we got to know Rose well enough before she is thrown into peril. I have to say the idea of this novel is a very good one and the magic system is such an intriguing one that I would actually care to learn more about. I liked Rose and her friends. I enjoyed the Nightingales lore and even the mystery behind our main villian. However the execution of the book was not the best. The writing felt extremely clunky and sluggish most of the novel and it felt like reading a decent fanfiction that someone added witchy elements from chatGPT to. The whole novel felt muddled and confusing; all around rushed. It is like the author knew where she wanted to begin and possibly end, but was not exactly sure how to get from point A to B. Even the romance scene felt stale and awkwardly rushed. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.
My experience with this novel was very conflicting. Season of Fire feels like following Eloise Bridgerton after she has found out she is secretly a witch. The novel follows Rose a girl who loves her quiet life in the country and wants independence, but has found herself thrust into London society against her will. The beginning of this novel felt extremely rushed and I don’t know if we got to know Rose well enough before she is thrown into peril. I have to say the idea of this novel is a very good one and the magic system is such an intriguing one that I would actually care to learn more about. I liked Rose and her friends. I enjoyed the Nightingales lore and even the mystery behind our main villian. However the execution of the book was not the best. The writing felt extremely clunky and sluggish most of the novel and it felt like reading a decent fanfiction that someone added witchy elements from chatGPT to. The whole novel felt muddled and confusing; all around rushed. It is like the author knew where she wanted to begin and possibly end, but was not exactly sure how to get from point A to B. Even the romance scene felt stale and awkwardly rushed. I liked it, but I didn’t love it.
February 18, 2025
Really like the mix betteween regency era vs magic. I thought that the writer transport well to the story the anxiety and depression. The friendship group was amazing, the way the girls suport Rose in her dark moments is the best thing of the whole book. But the love triangle was a bit messy, and I do not think that Rose made the right choice. The supposed love of her life did not trust her many times, and did not understand the pain that she went. Alexander was a really sweet to her, that did ask how she was and did not try to pressure her.
April 29, 2025
This is a stunner of a debut novel, and I am so relieved there will be a second book! I love a story when you aren't sure who to trust and the little things that you pick up on (or think you pick up on!) here and there made me want to speed read to confirm my suspicions. I loved the setting and premise of the book with a little side of feminism, despite Rose's position in life. The love triangle is well positioned and the angst is there, however I do believe there is only one right choice. But, maybe there is a third choice that we aren't considering... The comradery Rose finds within The Nightingales is so fun to read and the intrigue about Lady Nightingale herself has me keeping a close eye on the release date for book 2! I am torn on herrrrrr!!!
A must read! So fun, intriguing and twisty, plus balls and witches! My kind of book!
A must read! So fun, intriguing and twisty, plus balls and witches! My kind of book!
February 26, 2025
This book is very slow paced, which is normal for a new fantasy book. It’s like Bridgerton but with witches, which is exactly why I wanted to read it. However, it was a bit too slow for me and I couldn’t connect with Rose or her love interest. In fact I felt like their love story could’ve been left out due to there not being any real substance behind their story. It was like one minute they were friends and the next they were lovers. I also found Rose’s character to digress throughout the book. She starts off as a strong willed, caring, intelligent person but then turns into a selfish, reckless, and not very bright person that’s constantly making mistakes. I almost stopped reading this after she did something really stupid and reckless. The only reason I continued to read it was to see where it ended and the ending is what earned it another half of a star. Not sure if I’ll continue the series or not.
I received an advance reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 24, 2025
I wanted to like this book. The premise was intriguing: Bridgerton with Witches. The author has a talent with descriptions, drawing on all the senses to create experiences that are compelling.
But the plot execution was extremely chaotic and disjointed.
What is this book about? What is the central plot?
I kept asking myself these questions as I read it, and the answers constantly shifted. The story opens with a good, clear Downton Abbey plotline: the female protagonist has devoted her young life to caring for the village and estates she lives on, after the deaths of her father and brother. The return of her long lost cousin, who legally owns these lands, threatens to force her and her mother out of their homes.
She starts out as competant: she knows the land and its people, and she does a good job caring for them. The opening conflict is great: the author establishes the danger, and really works hard to lay the foundation of this plotline. I would have rated *that* story at least 4 stars, possibly 5.
All that great foundation goes out the window.
The cousin dismisses the protagonist's efforts, and suddenly the protagonist decides she needs to move on, reversing her motivation and abandoning all her previous character building.
This leads what the book's promos claim is a slowburn friends to lovers plotline.
But it's not. It's an incredibly rushed transition from a sweet friendship to a trainwreck that leaves the reader raw and angry, because this is not how Romance is supposed to work. I wanted to give this book a one star review because the false promise of romance was that bad. But even that doesn't last. Suddenly she's in London, traumatized and abused, like they took someone straight from Handmaiden's Tale to Bridgerton.
I love a good Romance. I love going with the characters on an emotional journey of love, conflict, and personal growth. I love knowing it's going to work out in the end, or even just feeling real attraction between two people. I would love to read a romance with this premise.
But this is 100% not a Romance, or even Romantic Fantasy.
It's Historical Fantasy, starring a character who is forced to take part in romantic matchmaking she doesn't want, after suffering some really rotten mistreatment.
But then it's not, as all that goes out the window. Suddenly it's a Beginner's Guide to Witchcraft, and all the other elements take a back seat.
What is this story about? I have no idea, and that's the key problem. It keeps promising something interesting, then discarding that.
Good stories lay the groundwork, then build on that foundation, finally giving you what they promised in the promos. This story promises one foundation, demolishes it, builds a new foundation, walks away from that, and then takes up camping.
If this book had started at chapter 13, and skipped the incredibly frustrating lost plotlines of the first 1/3, it would be 4 stars. If the author had been honest about the genre, and not tried to market it with romance tropes and promises of romance, it could have been 5 stars.
But as it stands, it's a great idea, and a lot of broken promises.
When you promote a book, you need to be honest about what it delivers. This book broke my trust as a reader.
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Descriptions: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4 stars
Plot lines: 1 Star
Romance: 1 Star (this is anti-Romance)
But the plot execution was extremely chaotic and disjointed.
What is this book about? What is the central plot?
I kept asking myself these questions as I read it, and the answers constantly shifted. The story opens with a good, clear Downton Abbey plotline: the female protagonist has devoted her young life to caring for the village and estates she lives on, after the deaths of her father and brother. The return of her long lost cousin, who legally owns these lands, threatens to force her and her mother out of their homes.
She starts out as competant: she knows the land and its people, and she does a good job caring for them. The opening conflict is great: the author establishes the danger, and really works hard to lay the foundation of this plotline. I would have rated *that* story at least 4 stars, possibly 5.
All that great foundation goes out the window.
The cousin dismisses the protagonist's efforts, and suddenly the protagonist decides she needs to move on, reversing her motivation and abandoning all her previous character building.
This leads what the book's promos claim is a slowburn friends to lovers plotline.
But it's not. It's an incredibly rushed transition from a sweet friendship to a trainwreck that leaves the reader raw and angry, because this is not how Romance is supposed to work. I wanted to give this book a one star review because the false promise of romance was that bad. But even that doesn't last. Suddenly she's in London, traumatized and abused, like they took someone straight from Handmaiden's Tale to Bridgerton.
I love a good Romance. I love going with the characters on an emotional journey of love, conflict, and personal growth. I love knowing it's going to work out in the end, or even just feeling real attraction between two people. I would love to read a romance with this premise.
But this is 100% not a Romance, or even Romantic Fantasy.
It's Historical Fantasy, starring a character who is forced to take part in romantic matchmaking she doesn't want, after suffering some really rotten mistreatment.
But then it's not, as all that goes out the window. Suddenly it's a Beginner's Guide to Witchcraft, and all the other elements take a back seat.
What is this story about? I have no idea, and that's the key problem. It keeps promising something interesting, then discarding that.
Good stories lay the groundwork, then build on that foundation, finally giving you what they promised in the promos. This story promises one foundation, demolishes it, builds a new foundation, walks away from that, and then takes up camping.
If this book had started at chapter 13, and skipped the incredibly frustrating lost plotlines of the first 1/3, it would be 4 stars. If the author had been honest about the genre, and not tried to market it with romance tropes and promises of romance, it could have been 5 stars.
But as it stands, it's a great idea, and a lot of broken promises.
When you promote a book, you need to be honest about what it delivers. This book broke my trust as a reader.
Note: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Descriptions: 5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4 stars
Plot lines: 1 Star
Romance: 1 Star (this is anti-Romance)
January 11, 2025
Season of Fire centers around Rose Worthington, a young woman in the early 19th century, who manages her estate after the passing of her brother and father. When her cousin from America (the heir to the estate) comes to claim his inheritance, Rose finds herself losing control of the life she wishes to live and instead is being pushed to find a husband. Amongst her refusal to fully engage in High Society, she finds herself amongst some witches and discovers powers of her own.
While the novel starts in the countryside, we quickly find ourselves immersed in the lavish social circles of London. The imagery is very reminiscent of Bridgerton, but with a magical twist. There are moments when I wondered if this was Bridgerton fan fiction, but it certainly holds its own.
Up until about ¾’s of the way through, I felt this would fit better in the young adult genre. I found the adventure and adversaries to be more on the gentler side, however, there is some spice at around the 80% mark, which solidifies the new adult categorization. I appreciate how Rose is strong-willed, but still limited in her confidence as I imagine women of that time were. This differs from some of the more powerful heroines we see in modern writes, but Rose feels like a more accurate representation of a young woman during that time.
My favorite part of this book are the friendships that were made along the way and being inside Lady Nightingale’s home. I would’ve loved to see more of Rose’s magical journey, but I felt the weight between learning magic and dealing with marriage/love interests was well-balanced. I wasn’t sold on Phillip, I found him to be a bit of a tool most of the time, but again, I could absolutely see Phillip being an actual person in the early 1800’s.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It’s not my usual style and I’m not sure I’ll read book 2, however, there is absolutely an audience for Season of Fire. Anyone that loves a good historical romance, or a story around a budding witch discovering magic, or even a slower/gentler spicy story, will find a home in this novel.
There were quite a few grammatical and spelling errors, specifically in the second half, but as I read the advanced reader’s copy, I imagine these will be ironed out before publication. I would’ve liked to have seen more resolution vs. leaving things unsolved for book two, but not to the point where it takes away too much.
Would definitely recommend to a few friends that I know would love this style.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While the novel starts in the countryside, we quickly find ourselves immersed in the lavish social circles of London. The imagery is very reminiscent of Bridgerton, but with a magical twist. There are moments when I wondered if this was Bridgerton fan fiction, but it certainly holds its own.
Up until about ¾’s of the way through, I felt this would fit better in the young adult genre. I found the adventure and adversaries to be more on the gentler side, however, there is some spice at around the 80% mark, which solidifies the new adult categorization. I appreciate how Rose is strong-willed, but still limited in her confidence as I imagine women of that time were. This differs from some of the more powerful heroines we see in modern writes, but Rose feels like a more accurate representation of a young woman during that time.
My favorite part of this book are the friendships that were made along the way and being inside Lady Nightingale’s home. I would’ve loved to see more of Rose’s magical journey, but I felt the weight between learning magic and dealing with marriage/love interests was well-balanced. I wasn’t sold on Phillip, I found him to be a bit of a tool most of the time, but again, I could absolutely see Phillip being an actual person in the early 1800’s.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It’s not my usual style and I’m not sure I’ll read book 2, however, there is absolutely an audience for Season of Fire. Anyone that loves a good historical romance, or a story around a budding witch discovering magic, or even a slower/gentler spicy story, will find a home in this novel.
There were quite a few grammatical and spelling errors, specifically in the second half, but as I read the advanced reader’s copy, I imagine these will be ironed out before publication. I would’ve liked to have seen more resolution vs. leaving things unsolved for book two, but not to the point where it takes away too much.
Would definitely recommend to a few friends that I know would love this style.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 11, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
This one was really good! I loved the plot, and I felt the magic system was original and well laid out. Man, my heart hurt for Rose so many times. I teared up frequently. Also, the descriptions of her emotions and her depression were so raw and well done. I felt seen in my own depression. I have so much love for Rose, there were so many times I wish I could have just reached through my phone to hug her!
Took half a star off because I didn't really enjoy the romance between her and Character V. Their love (read: lust) felt juvenile and a bit toxic in the way Character V instantly assumed the worst about Rose and jumped to conclusions. It didn't really feel like a love that would last and it didn't truly feel like he trusted Rose or respected her choices. I felt like Rose suited much better with Character Z. Character Z seemed like a lot more level-headed with Rose's choices and it seemed like he truly trusted her. He was willing to step back if it meant Rose was happy. He saw Rose as a person and friend first before he saw her as a love interest. He cared not only for her but also for the impact a tarnished reputation would have on her family. He didn't make rash, dramatic decisions! I don't know, maybe I'm projecting after dating many dramatic man-children, but I really liked Character Z a lot more as a love interest for Rose. I'm also such a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers storyline.
All in all, this was an excellent book and I'm excited to see what happens in the next one!! I'll definitely be reading more of Cidney Mayes' books!
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
This one was really good! I loved the plot, and I felt the magic system was original and well laid out. Man, my heart hurt for Rose so many times. I teared up frequently. Also, the descriptions of her emotions and her depression were so raw and well done. I felt seen in my own depression. I have so much love for Rose, there were so many times I wish I could have just reached through my phone to hug her!
Took half a star off because I didn't really enjoy the romance between her and Character V. Their love (read: lust) felt juvenile and a bit toxic in the way Character V instantly assumed the worst about Rose and jumped to conclusions. It didn't really feel like a love that would last and it didn't truly feel like he trusted Rose or respected her choices. I felt like Rose suited much better with Character Z. Character Z seemed like a lot more level-headed with Rose's choices and it seemed like he truly trusted her. He was willing to step back if it meant Rose was happy. He saw Rose as a person and friend first before he saw her as a love interest. He cared not only for her but also for the impact a tarnished reputation would have on her family. He didn't make rash, dramatic decisions! I don't know, maybe I'm projecting after dating many dramatic man-children, but I really liked Character Z a lot more as a love interest for Rose. I'm also such a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers storyline.
All in all, this was an excellent book and I'm excited to see what happens in the next one!! I'll definitely be reading more of Cidney Mayes' books!
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
January 6, 2025
I was hooked from the plot-packed beginning through the ending where the stakes are high for Rose. My only regret in reading this book is that the second one isn’t out yet!! I want to live in this story for many more pages.
This story touched my heart. It’s authentic to what it feels like to break through the mental barriers that our culture places on women and their roles. Rose’s bid for freedom ripples out into the lives of everyone she meets, awakening their desire for freedom. It’s beautiful.
As they say, “No one is free until we’re all free.”
The bad guy, Cornelius, is intriguing. Of the three men we meet in this story, I’m hoping he captures Roses heart in the end…. We’ll see.
The Nightingales give Rose a place to belong and explore her magic. Women’s power is villafied as witchcraft in this book as it has been in our history. Much of the plot revolves around people hunting these powerful women to neutralize them. (Though there’s no direct conflict on the page except between Rose and Cornelius.)
Finally, I appreciated the nuanced writing about grief and major depression. It was handled respectfully and was natural to the plot versus being crowbarred in.
This book wasn’t predictable or a litany of tropes. It felt so authentic. One of the best stories I’ve read in a long while.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This story touched my heart. It’s authentic to what it feels like to break through the mental barriers that our culture places on women and their roles. Rose’s bid for freedom ripples out into the lives of everyone she meets, awakening their desire for freedom. It’s beautiful.
As they say, “No one is free until we’re all free.”
The bad guy, Cornelius, is intriguing. Of the three men we meet in this story, I’m hoping he captures Roses heart in the end…. We’ll see.
The Nightingales give Rose a place to belong and explore her magic. Women’s power is villafied as witchcraft in this book as it has been in our history. Much of the plot revolves around people hunting these powerful women to neutralize them. (Though there’s no direct conflict on the page except between Rose and Cornelius.)
Finally, I appreciated the nuanced writing about grief and major depression. It was handled respectfully and was natural to the plot versus being crowbarred in.
This book wasn’t predictable or a litany of tropes. It felt so authentic. One of the best stories I’ve read in a long while.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 15, 2025
Thanks to BookSirens and Crow Quill Publishing for providing me with an e-ARC!
**3 stars** I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I was initially drawn in by the cover, but I did find it to be somewhat misleading in relation to the book’s plot.
Set in Regency-era London, we follow 23-year-old Rose, who is thrust into society by the new head of the household—her cousin. To help with their financial struggles, she is forced to find a match by attending balls and other high-society events, much to her dismay. During these events, she is introduced to the mysterious Lady Nightingale, who reveals herself as the leader of a secret witch society. After confirming Rose’s magical abilities, Lady Nightingale takes her under her wing and teaches her how to control her magic. Rose must now balance her time between navigating societal affairs and honing her magical skills.
This was a great start to a new series. I was immediately drawn to the protagonist, Rose, and I love the concept of a secret witch society. What I particularly appreciated about Cidney Mayes is her respect for the time period. While not everything is historically accurate, Mayes made an effort to avoid overly modern phrasing, which is something that often turns me off in historical fiction.
When I first saw the book cover, I thought it would be marketed toward YA, but there are explicit scenes. They're not overly graphic, but some readers who are sensitive to explicit content might find them uncomfortable. There were also a couple of plot holes, but these could be addressed in future installments.
I’m excited to see where this story goes and will definitely be reading the next book when it comes out!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
**3 stars** I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I was initially drawn in by the cover, but I did find it to be somewhat misleading in relation to the book’s plot.
Set in Regency-era London, we follow 23-year-old Rose, who is thrust into society by the new head of the household—her cousin. To help with their financial struggles, she is forced to find a match by attending balls and other high-society events, much to her dismay. During these events, she is introduced to the mysterious Lady Nightingale, who reveals herself as the leader of a secret witch society. After confirming Rose’s magical abilities, Lady Nightingale takes her under her wing and teaches her how to control her magic. Rose must now balance her time between navigating societal affairs and honing her magical skills.
This was a great start to a new series. I was immediately drawn to the protagonist, Rose, and I love the concept of a secret witch society. What I particularly appreciated about Cidney Mayes is her respect for the time period. While not everything is historically accurate, Mayes made an effort to avoid overly modern phrasing, which is something that often turns me off in historical fiction.
When I first saw the book cover, I thought it would be marketed toward YA, but there are explicit scenes. They're not overly graphic, but some readers who are sensitive to explicit content might find them uncomfortable. There were also a couple of plot holes, but these could be addressed in future installments.
I’m excited to see where this story goes and will definitely be reading the next book when it comes out!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
February 24, 2025
✨ARC Review✨ I quite enjoyed this book, the debut novel by Cidney Mayes! It was different than my usual reads but the elements were there: romance, intrigue, mystery, magic, regency London. It centers around a young woman named Rose who learns a distant cousin named Cornelius is returning to England to claim his inheritance. He was the heir after both her father and brother died. Rose had hoped she would be able to continue overseeing the estate, but soon finds herself in London where her cousin has one goal in mind- marry her off. There, she meets Lady Nightingale who helps her harness the magic within. She also strikes up a friendship with Andrew Crawford, a future Lord, and it threatens to derail her cousin’s plans. There is some open door spice, but it is a very slow burn! There were times where I felt the text and conversations were stilted and could have been more detailed. But, the magical imagery was very well done. Thank you BookSirens for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 26, 2025
I don't even know where to begin! This first installment got me out of a reading slump that I'd been in for a few weeks. I'm a sucker for this time period, and the magic aspect kept me interested. I'm greatly looking forward to having a plethora of questions answered that were posed in Season of Fire in book 2. I'm excited for the future payoff. I LOVED the villain, and the portrayal of grief was done well. All the characters were interesting, and I want more of all of them.
There is a love triangle that was fun to read, but I'm iffy about Rose's preference. But that's just me. Also, the tone is very gritty and dark, but there are cute parts that I really enjoyed. There are typos in the version that I was given, but the rest of the writing is fantastic.
New Adult-- not YA for 1 well-written explicit scene that can be enjoyed or skipped easily if that's one's reading preference.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There is a love triangle that was fun to read, but I'm iffy about Rose's preference. But that's just me. Also, the tone is very gritty and dark, but there are cute parts that I really enjoyed. There are typos in the version that I was given, but the rest of the writing is fantastic.
New Adult-- not YA for 1 well-written explicit scene that can be enjoyed or skipped easily if that's one's reading preference.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 31, 2025
Oooh, I love me a good Regency novel. Add some magic and I’m automatically invested.
Strange things are happening to Rose Worthington. Her cousin is coming from America to take over the estate, fires are misbehaving, glass is shattering, and Rose finds herself on the marriage market as she struggles to deal with her emerging magical powers.
There’s trauma, slow-burn romance, a magical “school” type setting WITH A LIBRARY that responds to polite requests for books, some female friendships formed. I want to know more about the cousin and what happened to him in the States before he came back to England. I want more of Rose’s friends and their different magics. I want to know if Lady Nightingale is really as benevolent as she seems…
But sadly this book came out in February of this year and now I have to wait.
Strange things are happening to Rose Worthington. Her cousin is coming from America to take over the estate, fires are misbehaving, glass is shattering, and Rose finds herself on the marriage market as she struggles to deal with her emerging magical powers.
There’s trauma, slow-burn romance, a magical “school” type setting WITH A LIBRARY that responds to polite requests for books, some female friendships formed. I want to know more about the cousin and what happened to him in the States before he came back to England. I want more of Rose’s friends and their different magics. I want to know if Lady Nightingale is really as benevolent as she seems…
But sadly this book came out in February of this year and now I have to wait.
January 14, 2025
Season of Fire by Cidney Mayes was an enchanting travel back in time to Victorian England.
The evolution of Rose's magic was the best part of this story. There was some depth to the likeable supporting cast of characters. With the help of her new-found friends Rose not only discovers that she has magic, but manages to master it.
I'm not typically a fan of love triangles, and that remained true in this instance. I felt like the romantic story-line was the weak point of this book, but I'm hoping for better developments in the next book.
3.5/5 stars, rounded up. Despite some grammatical issues, the author's writing was so captivating that I'm impatiently awaiting the next novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The evolution of Rose's magic was the best part of this story. There was some depth to the likeable supporting cast of characters. With the help of her new-found friends Rose not only discovers that she has magic, but manages to master it.
I'm not typically a fan of love triangles, and that remained true in this instance. I felt like the romantic story-line was the weak point of this book, but I'm hoping for better developments in the next book.
3.5/5 stars, rounded up. Despite some grammatical issues, the author's writing was so captivating that I'm impatiently awaiting the next novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 26, 2025
This had elements of a 5 star feel but I'm hung on mainly one thing - copious, and I mean copious, (60+) typos. I tried reaching out to see if I had received an old ARC but didn't hear back. I will change my review if I see a version without typos! But that it was too distracting overall.
Otherwise, I really liked this! (Gorgeous cover) I have mixed feelings about it being a two part book, I feel it could have been resolved in one, or that book one wasn't completely satisfying, but maybe that's the point, and I'll gladly read the next book when it comes out and maybe change my mind.
One thing I appreciated is that Rose wasn't immediately accepting of her magic, and that felt real to me. One thing I did not stan was Mr. Phillip. Team Alexander all the way.
Otherwise, I really liked this! (Gorgeous cover) I have mixed feelings about it being a two part book, I feel it could have been resolved in one, or that book one wasn't completely satisfying, but maybe that's the point, and I'll gladly read the next book when it comes out and maybe change my mind.
One thing I appreciated is that Rose wasn't immediately accepting of her magic, and that felt real to me. One thing I did not stan was Mr. Phillip. Team Alexander all the way.
January 5, 2025
A Magical Read
I was hooked to this book from the very beginning. I loved Rose so much, she was so realistic with all her emotions and desires. I loved characters, romance, witches, magic, and friendships. I was so sad when it was finished. I really look forward to the next book, and I’ll be picking a physical copy of this once released. Great debut from the author! It was so good to start off the new year with a book I loved so much.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I was hooked to this book from the very beginning. I loved Rose so much, she was so realistic with all her emotions and desires. I loved characters, romance, witches, magic, and friendships. I was so sad when it was finished. I really look forward to the next book, and I’ll be picking a physical copy of this once released. Great debut from the author! It was so good to start off the new year with a book I loved so much.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 14, 2025
The beginning felt a little off and I wasn't sure where it was going but then when they got to London it started to get really good.
While I am not sure why Rose loves Philip so much I was happy to see her find true friendships and her magic.
I loved the unique magic system and how the women stick together. I am in the fence about Lady Nightingale whether she is actually good or not, something feels off.
The reveal near the end was unexpected and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
While I am not sure why Rose loves Philip so much I was happy to see her find true friendships and her magic.
I loved the unique magic system and how the women stick together. I am in the fence about Lady Nightingale whether she is actually good or not, something feels off.
The reveal near the end was unexpected and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 28, 2024
YA historical romance with great elements of fantasy.
The maincharcter Rose, is coming into her powers slowly and trying to navigate between being a "Witch", loyality and her feelings.
There's tension, action and a somewhat lovetriangel.
The story is quite captivating and enjoyabel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A thanks to BookSirens for the ARC, and I can' wait to see were the story goes from here...
The maincharcter Rose, is coming into her powers slowly and trying to navigate between being a "Witch", loyality and her feelings.
There's tension, action and a somewhat lovetriangel.
The story is quite captivating and enjoyabel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
A thanks to BookSirens for the ARC, and I can' wait to see were the story goes from here...
February 3, 2025
Think; magical Bridgerton. We know it, we love it. Think; strong independent woman, I don’t need no man. Think; seeking knowledge and blossoming into the woman you’re meant to be.
The whole book from start to finish was vibrant and entertaining. From the homely woman we first meet all the way to the sophisticated confident woman we grow and end with. I look forward to more from Lady Nightingale, and her teachings, further growing our FMC.
The whole book from start to finish was vibrant and entertaining. From the homely woman we first meet all the way to the sophisticated confident woman we grow and end with. I look forward to more from Lady Nightingale, and her teachings, further growing our FMC.
November 12, 2025
This rating is based on the plot, definitely not characters or dialog. I enjoyed the actual story, for the most part. The romance could have been completely left out, and I would have enjoyed alot more. Or if the romance was between different people maybe would have made more sense. I wanted more magic, because what I saw, was great! Maybe there was just too many elements trying to complete in the book and some things seemed rushed to completion.
December 26, 2024
I was really invested in what was going on in the world of the Nightingale Witches series. It uses the historical element that I was wanting and enjoyed the use of the witches romance concept. It was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed that this was a slow burn. Cidney Mayes wrote this perfectly and I was invested in what was happening to the characters and plot. I'm excited to read more in this series and from Cidney Mayes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 21, 2025
Season of Fire is a paranormal/fantasy fiction romance. It has great character development and enough intrigue to keep you guessing. It’s an engaging read that will have. You tapping your fingers as you wait for the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 29, 2025
Moderns in costume
This is more of a modern story dressed up in Regency costume, and the main character is very much a modern girl...and a rather clueless one, since she fails to recognize the uncanny nature of even her own magic until it gets pointed out to her. I hoped for better things from this story, but it doesn't even have a proper ending.
This is more of a modern story dressed up in Regency costume, and the main character is very much a modern girl...and a rather clueless one, since she fails to recognize the uncanny nature of even her own magic until it gets pointed out to her. I hoped for better things from this story, but it doesn't even have a proper ending.
Want to read
January 6, 2025We Stan an author who stands behind her morals. I’m excited to read this when it releases 😍
July 7, 2025
Interesting story, good world-building, ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, but still quite good.
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