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The Haven, the Hallow, & the Highborn: A Roots of Magic Series Novella
In facing her finest opponent, she will uncover her greatest strength.
Eedy Blackthorn wields a rare and mystical witch magic—she can become a conduit to harness the raw forces of lightning itself. But her abilities do not make up for her painful past. After a tragic accident claims her beloved father, Eedy inherits his seat on the mage-led council. Consumed by guilt over her father's death and determined to honor his legacy, she refuses to be silenced, no matter how often the male-dominated council disregards her suggestions.
When a mysterious disruption in magic threatens the kingdom’s balance, Prince Caelum is sent to join the council. Discovering Eedy’s identity reawakens a grudge tied to her late father, who ridiculed his family for years. With old wounds resurfacing, every council debate between them crackles with tension. As they clash over how to restore the magical order, their arguments become charged with something neither of them is willing to name.
With duty and destiny colliding, Eedy and Caelum must navigate their forbidden feelings for each other while racing to restore the kingdom’s magic before the winter solstice. As the solution to the magical crisis becomes clear, the couple is faced with an impossible decision, one that will test the limits of Eedy’s power and the depths of Caelum’s heart.
Love, magic, and sacrifice intertwine in this rivals-to-lovers romantasy novella. This novella takes place a century before the start of the related Roots of Magic main series.
Eedy Blackthorn wields a rare and mystical witch magic—she can become a conduit to harness the raw forces of lightning itself. But her abilities do not make up for her painful past. After a tragic accident claims her beloved father, Eedy inherits his seat on the mage-led council. Consumed by guilt over her father's death and determined to honor his legacy, she refuses to be silenced, no matter how often the male-dominated council disregards her suggestions.
When a mysterious disruption in magic threatens the kingdom’s balance, Prince Caelum is sent to join the council. Discovering Eedy’s identity reawakens a grudge tied to her late father, who ridiculed his family for years. With old wounds resurfacing, every council debate between them crackles with tension. As they clash over how to restore the magical order, their arguments become charged with something neither of them is willing to name.
With duty and destiny colliding, Eedy and Caelum must navigate their forbidden feelings for each other while racing to restore the kingdom’s magic before the winter solstice. As the solution to the magical crisis becomes clear, the couple is faced with an impossible decision, one that will test the limits of Eedy’s power and the depths of Caelum’s heart.
Love, magic, and sacrifice intertwine in this rivals-to-lovers romantasy novella. This novella takes place a century before the start of the related Roots of Magic main series.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 15, 2025
32 people are currently reading
1043 people want to read
About the author
Jessa Grey
1 book86 followersJessa Grey is an adult fantasy romance author. From writing Aladdin fanfiction as a kid to penning contemporaries as a young adult, she’s always been drawn to the magic of storytelling. Finding her latest passion in adult fantasy romance, she thrives on creating complex characters who contend with the power of love—and magic. When she’s not immersed in her latest story, Jessa can be found reading (of course!), traveling, hiking, listening to pop punk, or leveling up in Royal Match. She resides in Ohio with her two mischievous kids, an inventive husband, and four cuddly cats. She is set to release the first book in her debut series, Roots of Magic, in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 434 reviews
April 30, 2025
4⭐
“You are breathtaking, Eedy,” he said. “I hope you know that. I could watch you day and night and never grow tired of it.”
𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓
☀️Hate to love
🌙 Prince & witch
☀️ Reverse grumpy sunshine
🌙 Broken golden retriever MMC
☀️ Strong FMC
🌙Forced proximity
𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓
This novella was sweet and cute . I loved cealum our MMC he was funny and charismatic . It is also a breath of fresh air to read about an MMC who isn't a broody and grumpy shadow daddy.
Don't get me wrong I love broody MMCs but it sometimes gets repetitive so I liked how our MMC so much . The FMC was strong willed and never shied from doing what's right . I also loved the banter between our main characters .
I liked the world building ; it wasn't hard to understand
𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓
Overall I would recommend this sweet novella and I'm excited for the rest of the books in the series
𖤓☽𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ☾𖤓
JUST GOT THE ARC!! so excited to start it
“You are breathtaking, Eedy,” he said. “I hope you know that. I could watch you day and night and never grow tired of it.”
𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓
☀️Hate to love
🌙 Prince & witch
☀️ Reverse grumpy sunshine
🌙 Broken golden retriever MMC
☀️ Strong FMC
🌙Forced proximity
𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓
This novella was sweet and cute . I loved cealum our MMC he was funny and charismatic . It is also a breath of fresh air to read about an MMC who isn't a broody and grumpy shadow daddy.
Don't get me wrong I love broody MMCs but it sometimes gets repetitive so I liked how our MMC so much . The FMC was strong willed and never shied from doing what's right . I also loved the banter between our main characters .
I liked the world building ; it wasn't hard to understand
𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓𖤓☽☾𖤓
Overall I would recommend this sweet novella and I'm excited for the rest of the books in the series
𖤓☽𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 ☾𖤓
JUST GOT THE ARC!! so excited to start it
May 11, 2025
➸ 5 stars
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 thank you so much to jessa grey for the advanced readers copy!! <3
🌿 rivals to lovers
☀️ prince x witch
🌿 grumpy (her) x sunshine (him)
☀️ forbidden romance
🌿 forced proximity
☀️ he falls first
okay… WOW!!!! this book was AMAZING!!!! a beautiful prequel novella that completely stole my heart and made its way into my favorites shelf so easily <3 it has everything that i love and was balanced so well in 200 pages!! TWO HUNDRED PAGES!!!! the characters, SO LOVELY!!! the amount of depth and development that we got within such a short book was SO PERFECTLY DONE!!!! the story was so gripping and hard to put down; everything wrapped up amazingly and i can’t wait for more books in this world!!!
𓈀 𓄹𓂃
“Power had a way of commanding respect without effort, and I had spent so long clawing for scraps of it.”
➺ eedy blackthorn - I LOVE EEDY SO MUCH!!!! she is so fierce and witty <3 my girl stood for what she believed in and let no one push her down!!! she was also giving man hater and i was SO HERE FOR IT ugh she’s hilarious!! i loved her inner thoughts so much!
“We were less than an hour into this trip, and my patience was already wearing thin.”
“Plus, saying Your Highness every five minutes was going to push me over the edge.”
such a real and relatable fmc <3 i love this girl sm!! aside from the funny humor, she brought so much more to the story!! she’s a hardworking woman who wants to be HEARD, she’s complex, and she feels so deeply.
“I wasn’t a charmer; I was a thorn people pricked themselves on. Being likable was a skill I’d never mastered.”
-
“This was not like the councilmen, with their lucid gazes passing over me as if I didn’t exist. This prince was staring right into the heart of me, challenging my very core.”
➺ caelum ashford - the charming, arrogant and cocky prince with a dirty mouth GETS ME EVERY DAMN TIME!!!! this man was hilarious and literally had me giggling and kicking my feet!!!
“How did you know to take that one?”
“I didn’t know what it could do, I just thought I’d look cool holding it.”
like eedy, there is so much more to him, so much depth!! his backstory had me gripping my blankets and my heart was hurting!! despite that, he’s such an amazing person and so so caring for our eedy!!
“He was doing it again, looking at me like he was trying to uncover what made me tick, but this time, it wasn’t to undermine me. It felt careful. Curious. Cautious. Like he didn’t want to scare me away with his staring, but at the same time, he couldn’t stop.”
𓈀 𓄹𓂃
“But there was still that smugness, that air of superiority, as though he relished being the cleverest man in the room.
And the worst part? He just might be.
But I was no man.”
➺ eedy & caelum - okay these two had me GIGGLING and smiling like an idiot the ENTIRE book!!!! their first meeting was EVERYTHING!! hilarious and charming and so so fun!! from the very beginning they challenged each other; the perfect duo!!!! they perfectly balance each other and matched so well!!!!
“Even in his inebriated state, he still managed to seem so in control, so mesmerized with every feature of my face.”
“I hated feeling this exposed, this out of my element. My thoughts were spiraling, swept up in a furious torrent of doubt and fear.
A calming pine smell settled over me.”
caelum fell first amd he fell HARD!!! always looking at eedy with such wonder and awe!!!! while eedy keeps her walls high up, she always felt that calm around caelum, that feeling of safety and security :,) crying i love them sm!!!
“You can do this, Eedy. You’re braver than you think.”
“Fine. Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”
“There’s my tempest.”
the way caelum ALWAYS believed in eedy was just so heart warming!!! he encouraged her and stood by her side every step of the way!!!
“Yes. As I said, extraordinary, just like you.”
did i mention he threw himself in front of a fireball to protect her? BECAUSE YEAH. no hesitation to shield her I LOVE HIM SM
“Thank you. For not leaving me behind.”
“Leaving you alone in Velarune was never an option for me.”
“Caelum, you barely know me.”
“I know enough to know it was worth the risk.”
they spent so little time together but were so protective of each other!!! he saved her and she saved him <3
“You are breathtaking, Eedy, I hope you know that. I could watch you day and night and never grow tired of it.”
“I’ll do whatever you ask of me, Tempest.”
their love is so pure and so beautiful!!! caelum is so down bad
“Caelum,”
“Yes, Tempest?”
“Don’t call me that,”
“Why not? You are a tempest, a storm to be reckoned with. I feel your thunder when you’re furious. Your winds when you snap out a witty reply. Torrential rain pounding down on me when you’re sad. And when we touch”—“your lightning.”
“No one wants to be near a storm,” I finally whispered. All my life I was too much for everyone around me. Too moody. Too stubborn. Too everything.
“The storm is what excites me most, Eedy. You are raw. Chaotic. Untamable.”
“So, you wish to tame me, then?”
“No, never. I just want you to know it doesn’t scare me. I can handle it. I can handle all of you.”
eedy has always felt like she was too much but caelum came in hot and showed her he loves her for who she is!!! i love the message <3
“We all make mistakes, Eedy, but don’t think for one moment that you aren’t worthy of me. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. Come to think of it, maybe I misspoke earlier. Maybe I yearn to be the dirt under your boots, if only for the chance to be near you.”
HE SAID HE YEARNS GO BE THE DIRT UNDER HER BOOTS IF ONLY FOR THE CHANCE TO BE NEAR HER OH MY GOSHHHH!!!!! we love a yearning man!!!! and we love the communication and the constantly trying to talk about each others feelings without leaving things unsaid!!!! god i love them so much!!
“I never wished to be a queen, Caelum. The only thing I ever wanted to be was yours.”
“Tempest, queen, goddess. You can be everything. You are everything to me.”
they both yearned hard for each other AGHHHHH if it’s not like these two I DONT WANT IT!!!!!
the ending… oh my heart!!!! caelum ashford is THE sedition of longing and yearning!!!! i NEED more. IM SCREAMING FOR MORE!!!! words can’t describe how excited i am for jessa grey’s upcoming series!!! i will read anything this woman writes and i am SAT for future releases!!!!
𓈀 𓄹𓂃
“You have to know, you must know by now, Eada, that you are my world. Wherever you are is where I’m meant to be.”
“Sometimes, it’s not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about being the one willing to do what needs to be done.”
𓈀 𓄹𓂃 thank you so much to jessa grey for the advanced readers copy!! <3
🌿 rivals to lovers
☀️ prince x witch
🌿 grumpy (her) x sunshine (him)
☀️ forbidden romance
🌿 forced proximity
☀️ he falls first
okay… WOW!!!! this book was AMAZING!!!! a beautiful prequel novella that completely stole my heart and made its way into my favorites shelf so easily <3 it has everything that i love and was balanced so well in 200 pages!! TWO HUNDRED PAGES!!!! the characters, SO LOVELY!!! the amount of depth and development that we got within such a short book was SO PERFECTLY DONE!!!! the story was so gripping and hard to put down; everything wrapped up amazingly and i can’t wait for more books in this world!!!
𓈀 𓄹𓂃
“Power had a way of commanding respect without effort, and I had spent so long clawing for scraps of it.”
➺ eedy blackthorn - I LOVE EEDY SO MUCH!!!! she is so fierce and witty <3 my girl stood for what she believed in and let no one push her down!!! she was also giving man hater and i was SO HERE FOR IT ugh she’s hilarious!! i loved her inner thoughts so much!
“We were less than an hour into this trip, and my patience was already wearing thin.”
“Plus, saying Your Highness every five minutes was going to push me over the edge.”
such a real and relatable fmc <3 i love this girl sm!! aside from the funny humor, she brought so much more to the story!! she’s a hardworking woman who wants to be HEARD, she’s complex, and she feels so deeply.
“I wasn’t a charmer; I was a thorn people pricked themselves on. Being likable was a skill I’d never mastered.”
-
“This was not like the councilmen, with their lucid gazes passing over me as if I didn’t exist. This prince was staring right into the heart of me, challenging my very core.”
➺ caelum ashford - the charming, arrogant and cocky prince with a dirty mouth GETS ME EVERY DAMN TIME!!!! this man was hilarious and literally had me giggling and kicking my feet!!!
“How did you know to take that one?”
“I didn’t know what it could do, I just thought I’d look cool holding it.”
like eedy, there is so much more to him, so much depth!! his backstory had me gripping my blankets and my heart was hurting!! despite that, he’s such an amazing person and so so caring for our eedy!!
“He was doing it again, looking at me like he was trying to uncover what made me tick, but this time, it wasn’t to undermine me. It felt careful. Curious. Cautious. Like he didn’t want to scare me away with his staring, but at the same time, he couldn’t stop.”
𓈀 𓄹𓂃
“But there was still that smugness, that air of superiority, as though he relished being the cleverest man in the room.
And the worst part? He just might be.
But I was no man.”
➺ eedy & caelum - okay these two had me GIGGLING and smiling like an idiot the ENTIRE book!!!! their first meeting was EVERYTHING!! hilarious and charming and so so fun!! from the very beginning they challenged each other; the perfect duo!!!! they perfectly balance each other and matched so well!!!!
“Even in his inebriated state, he still managed to seem so in control, so mesmerized with every feature of my face.”
“I hated feeling this exposed, this out of my element. My thoughts were spiraling, swept up in a furious torrent of doubt and fear.
A calming pine smell settled over me.”
caelum fell first amd he fell HARD!!! always looking at eedy with such wonder and awe!!!! while eedy keeps her walls high up, she always felt that calm around caelum, that feeling of safety and security :,) crying i love them sm!!!
“You can do this, Eedy. You’re braver than you think.”
“Fine. Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”
“There’s my tempest.”
the way caelum ALWAYS believed in eedy was just so heart warming!!! he encouraged her and stood by her side every step of the way!!!
“Yes. As I said, extraordinary, just like you.”
did i mention he threw himself in front of a fireball to protect her? BECAUSE YEAH. no hesitation to shield her I LOVE HIM SM
“Thank you. For not leaving me behind.”
“Leaving you alone in Velarune was never an option for me.”
“Caelum, you barely know me.”
“I know enough to know it was worth the risk.”
they spent so little time together but were so protective of each other!!! he saved her and she saved him <3
“You are breathtaking, Eedy, I hope you know that. I could watch you day and night and never grow tired of it.”
“I’ll do whatever you ask of me, Tempest.”
their love is so pure and so beautiful!!! caelum is so down bad
“Caelum,”
“Yes, Tempest?”
“Don’t call me that,”
“Why not? You are a tempest, a storm to be reckoned with. I feel your thunder when you’re furious. Your winds when you snap out a witty reply. Torrential rain pounding down on me when you’re sad. And when we touch”—“your lightning.”
“No one wants to be near a storm,” I finally whispered. All my life I was too much for everyone around me. Too moody. Too stubborn. Too everything.
“The storm is what excites me most, Eedy. You are raw. Chaotic. Untamable.”
“So, you wish to tame me, then?”
“No, never. I just want you to know it doesn’t scare me. I can handle it. I can handle all of you.”
eedy has always felt like she was too much but caelum came in hot and showed her he loves her for who she is!!! i love the message <3
“We all make mistakes, Eedy, but don’t think for one moment that you aren’t worthy of me. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. Come to think of it, maybe I misspoke earlier. Maybe I yearn to be the dirt under your boots, if only for the chance to be near you.”
HE SAID HE YEARNS GO BE THE DIRT UNDER HER BOOTS IF ONLY FOR THE CHANCE TO BE NEAR HER OH MY GOSHHHH!!!!! we love a yearning man!!!! and we love the communication and the constantly trying to talk about each others feelings without leaving things unsaid!!!! god i love them so much!!
“I never wished to be a queen, Caelum. The only thing I ever wanted to be was yours.”
“Tempest, queen, goddess. You can be everything. You are everything to me.”
they both yearned hard for each other AGHHHHH if it’s not like these two I DONT WANT IT!!!!!
the ending… oh my heart!!!! caelum ashford is THE sedition of longing and yearning!!!! i NEED more. IM SCREAMING FOR MORE!!!! words can’t describe how excited i am for jessa grey’s upcoming series!!! i will read anything this woman writes and i am SAT for future releases!!!!
𓈀 𓄹𓂃
“You have to know, you must know by now, Eada, that you are my world. Wherever you are is where I’m meant to be.”
August 7, 2025
Thank you so much Jessa Grey for providing me with the opportunity of being an ARC reader. I had the time of my life reading The Haven, the Hallow, & the Highborn. I can not wait to read your next books ❤️🔥
“You are braver than you think you are.” Probably the best quote from this book to describe what it’s all bout 🥹
If this is how good the novella is, I CAN NOT WAIT for the series, because I am OBSESSED !! 🔥
Everything about this story was not only refreshing and gripping, it was beautiful in every way, from the storytelling to the imagery, I was hooked within the first few pages, and read through the whole thing in a few hours!
The story is both easy to follow and enthralling, the magic system is intricate and beautifully explained, the character and relationship development is delightful, the banter is witty and the tension exquisite 🤭
I love short stories but they often leave me wanting for more of the story and more of the after.
In this case I think the author achieved something TRULU REMARKABLE as I feel the level of detail, plot and emotion that is packed in this book made it feel like it was twice as long as it actually is, and I mean that in the BEST WAY POSSIBLE ❤️🔥
While some of the things that happened were predictable, I was genuinely totally blindsided by the ending (which, fair warning) left me in tears 😭
I will forever keep hoping that maybe someday there will be another book about Eedy and Caelum, because I very selfishly want more 🥹
This review was updated as apparently the app glitched and only the first part of it was posted 🥲
“You are braver than you think you are.” Probably the best quote from this book to describe what it’s all bout 🥹
If this is how good the novella is, I CAN NOT WAIT for the series, because I am OBSESSED !! 🔥
Everything about this story was not only refreshing and gripping, it was beautiful in every way, from the storytelling to the imagery, I was hooked within the first few pages, and read through the whole thing in a few hours!
The story is both easy to follow and enthralling, the magic system is intricate and beautifully explained, the character and relationship development is delightful, the banter is witty and the tension exquisite 🤭
I love short stories but they often leave me wanting for more of the story and more of the after.
In this case I think the author achieved something TRULU REMARKABLE as I feel the level of detail, plot and emotion that is packed in this book made it feel like it was twice as long as it actually is, and I mean that in the BEST WAY POSSIBLE ❤️🔥
While some of the things that happened were predictable, I was genuinely totally blindsided by the ending (which, fair warning) left me in tears 😭
I will forever keep hoping that maybe someday there will be another book about Eedy and Caelum, because I very selfishly want more 🥹
This review was updated as apparently the app glitched and only the first part of it was posted 🥲
April 2, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I think this would be a fun book for those who want a light and soft romantic fantasy. As this is a standalone prequel novella, the plot is relatively simple and straightforward, but engaging nonetheless. It is a breath of fresh air to read something with complete clarity, without having to scratch your head and doubt yourself, thinking you must have missed a detail and flipping back to analyze a map or chapter.
That being said, I would have preferred this book as a full novel as I think there are elements to the story that could have benefited from being explored with more depth. The characters themselves, while absolutely charming and loveable, felt slightly underdeveloped, especially Prince Caelum. There are layers to his character that I would have loved to see exposed even more and reflected to a greater degree in his actions. The main romantic relationship felt natural, featuring a well-portrayed chemistry between the two main characters, though I note it did feel somewhat rushed and insta-lovey.
Overall, I highly enjoyed the story. I think this world has so much potential, and I am definitely going to continue with this series.
This is the first eARC I have ever received, so this whole reading experience was very special for me. I am extremely grateful to the author for sharing her creation with me. This was my voluntary review.
I think this would be a fun book for those who want a light and soft romantic fantasy. As this is a standalone prequel novella, the plot is relatively simple and straightforward, but engaging nonetheless. It is a breath of fresh air to read something with complete clarity, without having to scratch your head and doubt yourself, thinking you must have missed a detail and flipping back to analyze a map or chapter.
That being said, I would have preferred this book as a full novel as I think there are elements to the story that could have benefited from being explored with more depth. The characters themselves, while absolutely charming and loveable, felt slightly underdeveloped, especially Prince Caelum. There are layers to his character that I would have loved to see exposed even more and reflected to a greater degree in his actions. The main romantic relationship felt natural, featuring a well-portrayed chemistry between the two main characters, though I note it did feel somewhat rushed and insta-lovey.
Overall, I highly enjoyed the story. I think this world has so much potential, and I am definitely going to continue with this series.
This is the first eARC I have ever received, so this whole reading experience was very special for me. I am extremely grateful to the author for sharing her creation with me. This was my voluntary review.
March 27, 2025
This story was stunning! I feel like romance can be hard to capture in a novella because they’re so much shorter than a standard novel, where there’s more time for building tension. But I have to say, the tension was felt in these 200 pages! And this story brought so much emotion out of me, I teared up on multiple occasions and the ending made me full on cry. I adored Eedy and Caelum, they were so precious and a breath of fresh air. And I really love the unique world and magic that is Eyre, I am super excited for the full series. Thank you so much, Jessa, for the arc!
March 28, 2025
4.5⭐
Thank you Jessa Grey for the ARC!
This novella was absolutely amazing! It's been a while since I've enjoyed reading a novella like this and I'm so grateful to have been able to finish it in a single sitting.
The FMC, Eedy, is very strong and stubborn. She doesn't take shit from anyone and would do anything to protect her Kingdom from the brink of ruin. The MMC, Caelum, is a rake whose soul and heart hide heavy secrets with a devilish smile.
The banter and tension was amazing. Since it's a novella, it was fast paced but not too much. The world-building and hierarchy system is very unique and something I don't recall ever having read before. The writing style was immersive and kept me from leaving my Kindle app. I was so intrigued that I just wanted to keep reading and reading and for it to not end.
The ending had me aching for more but the last chapter made up for it. I still can't wait to see if these characters reappear (might not be possible but a girl can hope) in the novels.
This book had me laughing, crying, swooning and screaming --- making me feel every emotion possible. I'm excited to see how the story proceeds from here and to get to know the new characters of the novel!
Thank you Jessa Grey for the ARC!
This novella was absolutely amazing! It's been a while since I've enjoyed reading a novella like this and I'm so grateful to have been able to finish it in a single sitting.
The FMC, Eedy, is very strong and stubborn. She doesn't take shit from anyone and would do anything to protect her Kingdom from the brink of ruin. The MMC, Caelum, is a rake whose soul and heart hide heavy secrets with a devilish smile.
The banter and tension was amazing. Since it's a novella, it was fast paced but not too much. The world-building and hierarchy system is very unique and something I don't recall ever having read before. The writing style was immersive and kept me from leaving my Kindle app. I was so intrigued that I just wanted to keep reading and reading and for it to not end.
The ending had me aching for more but the last chapter made up for it. I still can't wait to see if these characters reappear (might not be possible but a girl can hope) in the novels.
This book had me laughing, crying, swooning and screaming --- making me feel every emotion possible. I'm excited to see how the story proceeds from here and to get to know the new characters of the novel!
March 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Holy amazing ARC read, Batman—this was incredible!
I laughed, I cried, and the writing was absolutely beautiful. Chapter 17 gave me everything my angsty, slow-burn-loving heart wanted, and the last paragraph of Chapter 25 almost broke me (as did part of the epilogue).
I am however, going to need my husband to yearn to be the dirt under my boots now. Sorry honey.
I also really appreciated the spice warning at the beginning—you can skip it without missing anything, but of course, I still read it, and it was chef’s kiss! 👌🏻
I can’t wait to get my hands on a hard copy and am so ready for the rest of the series. Huge thanks to Jessa Grey for this incredible story and allowing me to be a part of it!
Holy amazing ARC read, Batman—this was incredible!
I laughed, I cried, and the writing was absolutely beautiful. Chapter 17 gave me everything my angsty, slow-burn-loving heart wanted, and the last paragraph of Chapter 25 almost broke me (as did part of the epilogue).
I am however, going to need my husband to yearn to be the dirt under my boots now. Sorry honey.
I also really appreciated the spice warning at the beginning—you can skip it without missing anything, but of course, I still read it, and it was chef’s kiss! 👌🏻
I can’t wait to get my hands on a hard copy and am so ready for the rest of the series. Huge thanks to Jessa Grey for this incredible story and allowing me to be a part of it!
April 1, 2025
I really wanted to love this book, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The premise had potential, but the execution fell flat. The plot felt thin, with not much driving the story forward, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged.
One of the biggest letdowns was the character chemistry—or rather, the lack of it. The relationships, whether romantic or platonic, didn’t feel fully developed, making it hard to connect with the characters or root for them. Additionally, the tropes that were marketed as key elements of the book didn’t seem to fit naturally into the story, which made the overall experience feel a bit disjointed.
That being said, I can see how this book might appeal to others, especially if they enjoy a typical Romantasy plot. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
One of the biggest letdowns was the character chemistry—or rather, the lack of it. The relationships, whether romantic or platonic, didn’t feel fully developed, making it hard to connect with the characters or root for them. Additionally, the tropes that were marketed as key elements of the book didn’t seem to fit naturally into the story, which made the overall experience feel a bit disjointed.
That being said, I can see how this book might appeal to others, especially if they enjoy a typical Romantasy plot. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
April 11, 2025
WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO DESCRIBE HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS STORY- from the minute it opened i was OBSESSED with the FMC Eedy Blackthorn (that grumpy sarcastic over misogyny vibe that i live for). PLUS SHE’S A LIGHTNING CATCHING WITCH?! ⚡️🧙🏼♀️ SOLD 😆
This is being released 4/15 - can’t recommend enough
You see her trying to uncover the mystery of why magic is running out despite her continued grief over the loss of her father AND the (male) mages continuously overlooking her.
THENNNN in walks in 👑 PRINCE CAELLLLUMMMM 🥵 he is a roguish flirt who gives her the nickname “Tempest” and it is ALL OVER from there. The rivals to lovers and witty banter of it all had me GIGGLING and flipping pages and they go on an epic quest into faerie lands to figure out WHAT is going on. Unlikely allies falling in love?! YUH. Count me in.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ .5
Read: digital ARC
read if you love:
⚡️ALL THE WITTY BANTER
⚡️slow burn with a payout
⚡️rivals/enemies to lovers
⚡️forced proximity
⚡️lightning taming witches
⚡️grumpy (her) x sunshine (him)
⚡️forbidden romance
⚡️easy, quick read full of adventure/high stakes
This is being released 4/15 - can’t recommend enough
You see her trying to uncover the mystery of why magic is running out despite her continued grief over the loss of her father AND the (male) mages continuously overlooking her.
THENNNN in walks in 👑 PRINCE CAELLLLUMMMM 🥵 he is a roguish flirt who gives her the nickname “Tempest” and it is ALL OVER from there. The rivals to lovers and witty banter of it all had me GIGGLING and flipping pages and they go on an epic quest into faerie lands to figure out WHAT is going on. Unlikely allies falling in love?! YUH. Count me in.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️ .5
Read: digital ARC
read if you love:
⚡️ALL THE WITTY BANTER
⚡️slow burn with a payout
⚡️rivals/enemies to lovers
⚡️forced proximity
⚡️lightning taming witches
⚡️grumpy (her) x sunshine (him)
⚡️forbidden romance
⚡️easy, quick read full of adventure/high stakes
March 25, 2025
From the moment I read the dedication of this book I was hooked. Caelum is one of the wittiest men I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know. His ability to challenge the magnificence that is Eedy is refreshing.
Speaking of our FMC Eedy, I’ve never related more to a character in my life than I do to her. She’s bold, she’s beautiful, and stubborn as a mule. She’s so much more than that too though.
This book had me laughing , crying, and feeling every emotion in between, sometimes on the same page. I’m so excited to get the rest of the series and get to know all these characters and hopefully some new ones more!
I received a copy of this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary review.
Speaking of our FMC Eedy, I’ve never related more to a character in my life than I do to her. She’s bold, she’s beautiful, and stubborn as a mule. She’s so much more than that too though.
This book had me laughing , crying, and feeling every emotion in between, sometimes on the same page. I’m so excited to get the rest of the series and get to know all these characters and hopefully some new ones more!
I received a copy of this book as an ARC and this is my voluntary review.
March 31, 2025
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the world building and the unique magic system, for me it was a very refreshing take on both with some elements I hadn't encountered until now. The story was interesting and I'm most impressed with the last chapter. Without giving any spoilers, I don't think I've read such a scene and perspective ever before.
The characters are well-developed and it was really easy to share in their feelings about the problem and the way it was being handled. The banter between the main characters was fun and I really loved how they challenged each other and later their support of one another, though I missed a bit of romantic tension in the lead up to them falling for each other. It's not that it's completely absent, but for how fierce their feelings were near the end, I feel the lead up to it could have used a bit more tension from both sides in the things they did and said and not just thoughts the female main character has.
The story is a really nice build-up for the main series, I'm very curious how that story will unfold and connect with this one already.
I really enjoyed the world building and the unique magic system, for me it was a very refreshing take on both with some elements I hadn't encountered until now. The story was interesting and I'm most impressed with the last chapter. Without giving any spoilers, I don't think I've read such a scene and perspective ever before.
The characters are well-developed and it was really easy to share in their feelings about the problem and the way it was being handled. The banter between the main characters was fun and I really loved how they challenged each other and later their support of one another, though I missed a bit of romantic tension in the lead up to them falling for each other. It's not that it's completely absent, but for how fierce their feelings were near the end, I feel the lead up to it could have used a bit more tension from both sides in the things they did and said and not just thoughts the female main character has.
The story is a really nice build-up for the main series, I'm very curious how that story will unfold and connect with this one already.
May 10, 2025
Wow! This was the first ARC I’ve ever had the chance to read and it did NOT disappoint!
The plot was great and had me wanting to keep reading! The tension and banter was beautifully written and made me fall in love with the characters!
I’m excited to see where this story takes us and what happens in the future for Eedy and Caelum, cause I NEED them to get their happy ending! 🥹🩵
The plot was great and had me wanting to keep reading! The tension and banter was beautifully written and made me fall in love with the characters!
I’m excited to see where this story takes us and what happens in the future for Eedy and Caelum, cause I NEED them to get their happy ending! 🥹🩵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 9, 2025
“If I weren’t a prince . . . if you weren’t a witch,” he murmured, his voice barely audible over the rain outside, “if we were just two people whose paths happened to cross . . .”
Overall Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 1/5 🌶️
This was such an enjoyable story! It’s a nice & quick fantasy read with lots of magic & complexities and some romance too! This felt like a full length novel in just 200 pages (in a good way) and i’m already wanting more!
I’m not sure what i was expecting out of this novella, except that it sounded so
good and right up my alley but Eady & Caelum were perfect in this story — their inevitable relationship, their tension and blossoming romance just hit all the right spots in my brain as I read. This novella is along the lines of a softer, romantic, maybe even cozy-ish romantasy novella that isn’t hard to follow along the character’s journey whatsoever. Along with the unique but straightforward plot & worldbuilding, and characters alone, I couldn’t help but love it all. I’m so ready for the full length series following this one!
I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy / romantasy novels with well-written writing, easy to follow story & details and is looking for a read on the shorter/quicker side!
What to Expect in The Haven, The Hollow & The Highborn:
🍃 prequel romantasy novella
🍃 rivals to lovers
🍃 prince x witch
🍃 he falls first
🍃 slow burn
🍃 grumpy (her) x sunshine (him)
🍃 forced proximity
🍃 forbidden romance
🍃 feminine rage
🍃 magic system & complex kingdom politics
🍃 banter of all banter!
🍃 tragic backstories
Thank you to Jessa Grey & her team for allowing me to be an arc reader for this release & providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Haven, The Hollow & The Highborn in exchange for an honest review! I received an ARC copy of The Haven, The Hollow & The Highborn and all thoughts & comments on this review are my own!
The Haven, The Hollow & The Highborn releases April 15th, 2025!
Overall Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 1/5 🌶️
This was such an enjoyable story! It’s a nice & quick fantasy read with lots of magic & complexities and some romance too! This felt like a full length novel in just 200 pages (in a good way) and i’m already wanting more!
I’m not sure what i was expecting out of this novella, except that it sounded so
good and right up my alley but Eady & Caelum were perfect in this story — their inevitable relationship, their tension and blossoming romance just hit all the right spots in my brain as I read. This novella is along the lines of a softer, romantic, maybe even cozy-ish romantasy novella that isn’t hard to follow along the character’s journey whatsoever. Along with the unique but straightforward plot & worldbuilding, and characters alone, I couldn’t help but love it all. I’m so ready for the full length series following this one!
I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy / romantasy novels with well-written writing, easy to follow story & details and is looking for a read on the shorter/quicker side!
What to Expect in The Haven, The Hollow & The Highborn:
🍃 prequel romantasy novella
🍃 rivals to lovers
🍃 prince x witch
🍃 he falls first
🍃 slow burn
🍃 grumpy (her) x sunshine (him)
🍃 forced proximity
🍃 forbidden romance
🍃 feminine rage
🍃 magic system & complex kingdom politics
🍃 banter of all banter!
🍃 tragic backstories
Thank you to Jessa Grey & her team for allowing me to be an arc reader for this release & providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Haven, The Hollow & The Highborn in exchange for an honest review! I received an ARC copy of The Haven, The Hollow & The Highborn and all thoughts & comments on this review are my own!
The Haven, The Hollow & The Highborn releases April 15th, 2025!
April 15, 2025
#Review: *The Haven, the Hallow & the Highborn: A Roots of Magic* - Jessa Grey [16+]
5/5✨
2/5🌶️
Because I looved the 'Merlin' series, I wanted to read this book. I really like these type of stories with magic🥰. Thank you so much Jessa for accepting me to be part of your team for this one!
In the whole kingdom of Eyre something strange was happening with the magic which was present there and no one knows the mystery behind it. Eedy was searching for those unknown reasons but nobody was taking her seriously. Her father even passed away while searching for the truth and she was pretty determined to continue his work and find out the mystery behind all of it.
Eedy will found herself in the situation of being forced to go with Prince Caelum of Eyre to a dangerous place, full of mischief and darkness called Velarune. There, Eedy will find out some surprising things about herself and there she will also create a different kind of bound with Caelum. Will they succeeded in healing their realm? Will they be able to escape unhurt from that dark place?
This was a pretty short story, but which was filled with suspense, secrets and love. The banter between Eedy and Caelum was everything, being in the center of this story even from their first encounter. I enjoyed so much to see how everything morphed into something really beautiful and how all those teases became entirely something else🤭.
I loved that it had Eedy in the spotlight of this story, being portrayed as a woman with a great personality, determined and very strong. She definitely blossomed even more throughout this book, becoming so much more than she ever imagined. Caelum was a big part of her journey and transformation, loving how protective of her he was and, can I say, obsessed?🤭
Ohh, how I loved this book and these characters! I cannot wait to see what's next in this whole series, this being only a novella, like an introduction to this magical world. The ending was for sure really promising, leaving me longing for more!
✨Tropes
#RivalsToLovers
#ForcedProximity
#Magic
#HeFallsFirst
#ForbiddenLove
#Playboy
#TragicPast
#ProtectiveMMC
5/5✨
2/5🌶️
Because I looved the 'Merlin' series, I wanted to read this book. I really like these type of stories with magic🥰. Thank you so much Jessa for accepting me to be part of your team for this one!
In the whole kingdom of Eyre something strange was happening with the magic which was present there and no one knows the mystery behind it. Eedy was searching for those unknown reasons but nobody was taking her seriously. Her father even passed away while searching for the truth and she was pretty determined to continue his work and find out the mystery behind all of it.
Eedy will found herself in the situation of being forced to go with Prince Caelum of Eyre to a dangerous place, full of mischief and darkness called Velarune. There, Eedy will find out some surprising things about herself and there she will also create a different kind of bound with Caelum. Will they succeeded in healing their realm? Will they be able to escape unhurt from that dark place?
This was a pretty short story, but which was filled with suspense, secrets and love. The banter between Eedy and Caelum was everything, being in the center of this story even from their first encounter. I enjoyed so much to see how everything morphed into something really beautiful and how all those teases became entirely something else🤭.
I loved that it had Eedy in the spotlight of this story, being portrayed as a woman with a great personality, determined and very strong. She definitely blossomed even more throughout this book, becoming so much more than she ever imagined. Caelum was a big part of her journey and transformation, loving how protective of her he was and, can I say, obsessed?🤭
Ohh, how I loved this book and these characters! I cannot wait to see what's next in this whole series, this being only a novella, like an introduction to this magical world. The ending was for sure really promising, leaving me longing for more!
✨Tropes
#RivalsToLovers
#ForcedProximity
#Magic
#HeFallsFirst
#ForbiddenLove
#Playboy
#TragicPast
#ProtectiveMMC
April 11, 2025
Jessa Grey The Haven, the Hallow, & the Highborn: A Roots of Magic Series Novella
Summary:
The magic in Eyre is dying. Of the two mages hunting for an actual answer, only one remains alive. Eedy Blackthorn, a lightning mage, has taken up her father's mantle on the Council of Magi, a bunch of old mages (*cough* men), who do not take her seriously. With the clock ticking, the political adversity couldn't get worse. And then, of course, it does.
Enter Caelum, Crown Prince of Eyre and renowned royal rake. He arrives to consult with the Council on the fading of magic, posture, and go home. Eedy was raised to have no love for the highborn, as they're more often a curse than a cure, and she quickly makes this clear. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite matter what she likes, wants, or knows, and she is sent on a near-suicide mission to acquire more proof for the existence of ley lines, magical channels that her father had devoted his life to studying... all accompanied by the highborn prick. This mission takes them directly into the hands of the fae, an ancient, magic-rich people that Eedy barely escaped once before, and at too high a cost.
Banter abounds, tensions rise, and the pressure to save their world as they know it brings the unlikely pair closer. Too close, both for Eedy's upbringing and the law. Their growing affections are in many ways, doomed even as they begin. Just as magic may be.
Heartwarming. Toe-curling. Devastating. Jessa Grey has created a must-read masterpiece with The Haven, the Hallow, and the Highborn.
Favorite quotes:
This prince better be shitting his brains out on his royal throne to explain his absence, or I'd have his head. (pg. 9)
"Did you ever think you'd dance with him?" "Who?" I demanded, watching a kaleidoscope of colored lights dance across his face. "The greatest rival you've ever had." (pg. 93)
My thoughts:
This book was fantastic and I spent so much of my time reading it wishing that it would never end. It's my first ARC read that I've finished and I could not be happier to have been on the team. Thank you to Jessa Grey for this opportunity and for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and review are my own.
The Haven, the Hallow, and the Highborn was so beautifully written and had so much depth with both plot and characters. Eedy is so relatable and so much of her internal monologue exactly mirrored thoughts I was having while reading. I love her.
There were a couple of times that the pacing felt fast, or that there were elements of convenience when it came to moving the plot along, but this makes absolute sense as this is a novella and needed to establish the storyline quickly. The way that the author managed these time skips was super graceful and it didn't detract from the story at all for me. That being said, would I have read four weeks of travel sequence with Eedy and Caelum? Uh, yeah.
I did also like that we could see in the characters how their past traumas informed their lives and their responses to new things. They felt like real people with some real dimension and real problems.
Here's where we get a little spoiler-y, so if you haven't read this book yet and are planning to, just know that it is so worth it and it was like a breath of fresh air. I immediately preordered once I finished reading my digital copy. You won't regret it!
SPOILERS:
I love that instead of suddenly manifesting some crazy new power that nobody has seen in ages that becomes the backbone of the entire plot (yawn) or losing all of her powers to live like a normal girl (RAGE), Eedy's arc and story resolution built into the narrative instead of becoming the entirety of it. Yes, her powers play an important role in the story, but there is still a story and an interesting character to be had outside of just her magic. The climax of the story was also surprising and, again, different from the direction that many fantasy novels are taking at this time.
And, speaking of climax... the spice? Someone get me a fan, my god. There wasn't much spice throughout, as it's a slow-burn, but the spice once the enemies became lovers was SO GOOD. And all the banter? The tension?? *faints*
Immaculate. I look forward to seeing what Jessa creates next.
Summary:
The magic in Eyre is dying. Of the two mages hunting for an actual answer, only one remains alive. Eedy Blackthorn, a lightning mage, has taken up her father's mantle on the Council of Magi, a bunch of old mages (*cough* men), who do not take her seriously. With the clock ticking, the political adversity couldn't get worse. And then, of course, it does.
Enter Caelum, Crown Prince of Eyre and renowned royal rake. He arrives to consult with the Council on the fading of magic, posture, and go home. Eedy was raised to have no love for the highborn, as they're more often a curse than a cure, and she quickly makes this clear. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite matter what she likes, wants, or knows, and she is sent on a near-suicide mission to acquire more proof for the existence of ley lines, magical channels that her father had devoted his life to studying... all accompanied by the highborn prick. This mission takes them directly into the hands of the fae, an ancient, magic-rich people that Eedy barely escaped once before, and at too high a cost.
Banter abounds, tensions rise, and the pressure to save their world as they know it brings the unlikely pair closer. Too close, both for Eedy's upbringing and the law. Their growing affections are in many ways, doomed even as they begin. Just as magic may be.
Heartwarming. Toe-curling. Devastating. Jessa Grey has created a must-read masterpiece with The Haven, the Hallow, and the Highborn.
Favorite quotes:
This prince better be shitting his brains out on his royal throne to explain his absence, or I'd have his head. (pg. 9)
"Did you ever think you'd dance with him?" "Who?" I demanded, watching a kaleidoscope of colored lights dance across his face. "The greatest rival you've ever had." (pg. 93)
My thoughts:
This book was fantastic and I spent so much of my time reading it wishing that it would never end. It's my first ARC read that I've finished and I could not be happier to have been on the team. Thank you to Jessa Grey for this opportunity and for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and review are my own.
The Haven, the Hallow, and the Highborn was so beautifully written and had so much depth with both plot and characters. Eedy is so relatable and so much of her internal monologue exactly mirrored thoughts I was having while reading. I love her.
There were a couple of times that the pacing felt fast, or that there were elements of convenience when it came to moving the plot along, but this makes absolute sense as this is a novella and needed to establish the storyline quickly. The way that the author managed these time skips was super graceful and it didn't detract from the story at all for me. That being said, would I have read four weeks of travel sequence with Eedy and Caelum? Uh, yeah.
I did also like that we could see in the characters how their past traumas informed their lives and their responses to new things. They felt like real people with some real dimension and real problems.
Here's where we get a little spoiler-y, so if you haven't read this book yet and are planning to, just know that it is so worth it and it was like a breath of fresh air. I immediately preordered once I finished reading my digital copy. You won't regret it!
SPOILERS:
I love that instead of suddenly manifesting some crazy new power that nobody has seen in ages that becomes the backbone of the entire plot (yawn) or losing all of her powers to live like a normal girl (RAGE), Eedy's arc and story resolution built into the narrative instead of becoming the entirety of it. Yes, her powers play an important role in the story, but there is still a story and an interesting character to be had outside of just her magic. The climax of the story was also surprising and, again, different from the direction that many fantasy novels are taking at this time.
And, speaking of climax... the spice? Someone get me a fan, my god. There wasn't much spice throughout, as it's a slow-burn, but the spice once the enemies became lovers was SO GOOD. And all the banter? The tension?? *faints*
Immaculate. I look forward to seeing what Jessa creates next.
April 13, 2025
4.75⭐️
“Wherever you are is where I’m meant to be.” ⚡️💛
Wow! This novella really took me by surprise! I was hooked from the very moment I started! I loved the characters, the mystery, the rivals, the magic system! I’m also a sucker for a blond mmc what can I sayyy 🤭
The writing style and depth to these 200 and some odd pages was something close to magic! I kept thinking the whole time that I couldn’t believe it was so well done for being so short! I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything, the love didn’t seem insta lovely in the slightest, and the ENDING?! Omg I gasped and I didn’t know how to process my feelings?! My poor little heart! ❤️🩹 I absolutely can’t wait to see how this story fits into the main story coming later this year! I am HOOKED!
Thank you Jessa Grey for the ARC and the opportunity to review honestly! 🫶🏻
“Wherever you are is where I’m meant to be.” ⚡️💛
Wow! This novella really took me by surprise! I was hooked from the very moment I started! I loved the characters, the mystery, the rivals, the magic system! I’m also a sucker for a blond mmc what can I sayyy 🤭
The writing style and depth to these 200 and some odd pages was something close to magic! I kept thinking the whole time that I couldn’t believe it was so well done for being so short! I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything, the love didn’t seem insta lovely in the slightest, and the ENDING?! Omg I gasped and I didn’t know how to process my feelings?! My poor little heart! ❤️🩹 I absolutely can’t wait to see how this story fits into the main story coming later this year! I am HOOKED!
Thank you Jessa Grey for the ARC and the opportunity to review honestly! 🫶🏻
April 28, 2025
So good!! Really loved this Series Novella Starter. Loves all the little bits and even the somewhat cheesy ones at the end. Will totally continue with the series!
complimentary ARC received courtesy through NetGalley but my thoughts are my own!
complimentary ARC received courtesy through NetGalley but my thoughts are my own!
April 15, 2025
I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did, but here I am.
For a novella I feel it can be tough to get good tension & angst in for a romance, but this did a really great job! I enjoyed the banter and the rivals to lovers vibe. It did have a bit of insta love vibes (apparently they’d been together weeks but I was under the impression it was a matter of days?).
I love that Eedy doesn’t take crap from anyone. She’s stubborn and passionate. And Caelum is giving the best golden retriever energy.
The world and magic was really unique! There’s witches, fae, humans, and magic that’s failing. The writing was intriguing and kept me hooked from start to finish
I’m SO curious to see what comes next in this series! Thank you so much to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
For a novella I feel it can be tough to get good tension & angst in for a romance, but this did a really great job! I enjoyed the banter and the rivals to lovers vibe. It did have a bit of insta love vibes (apparently they’d been together weeks but I was under the impression it was a matter of days?).
I love that Eedy doesn’t take crap from anyone. She’s stubborn and passionate. And Caelum is giving the best golden retriever energy.
The world and magic was really unique! There’s witches, fae, humans, and magic that’s failing. The writing was intriguing and kept me hooked from start to finish
I’m SO curious to see what comes next in this series! Thank you so much to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 15, 2025
This is the sweetest most delicate exploration of worthiness and overcoming the pain of our past. I wept.
This is a 219 page novella that can be read by itself. And it will bring you so much joy… and a small amount of tears.
Our adorable and feisty main character is a witch who can wield lightning…. So cool.
When the magic in her world is starting to fade… she goes on a quest to find why. And who accompanies her? Oh just… a PRINCE. A hot prince. A dangerous and daring prince. A very flirty prince.
But... is that… just an act?
This little novella blew me away.
It was a breath of fresh air. It was whimsical, and hopeful, and powerful.
There is a little spice in here too with one of the best… most detailed… intimate, scorching, blush inducing scenes… I’ve ever read.
This book confirms that believing in yourself is your greatest strength.
You never know the silent battles we fight and the heavy weight of hardship we quietly carry.
This is the story about a witch and a prince who under the old laws are not allowed to be together as the power imbalance would be too great… ask me how you think that goes…
There’s magic and fae and the flow of magic through this whimsical world is great and powerful and such a cool concept to read about.
There’s also some big moments of growth and pain that are a little hard to go through, but incredibly important.
“I thought we’d moved past you equating me to the dirt under your boots. Even though I’ve never had anyone in my life to tell me, I know I am worth much more than that.”
This book has one of the best apology scenes I’ve ever read. It takes a big person to apologize and admit when you’re wrong and you’ve hurt someone and it was so precious and sweet and vulnerable. It’s one of the most tender apologies and moments of forgiveness I’ve ever read. It made my eyes leak tears uncontrollably.
What beautiful lessons of love and forgiveness.
This book reminds you that doing the right thing because you know it’s right. Whether you have someone at your back or not. That’s what’s important.
“Sometimes, it’s not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about being the one willing to do what needs to be done.”
It’s about vulnerability and seeking happiness and joy.
“There was a flutter in my belly at the thought of doing something dangerous and unpredictable. Of relying on my wits and the strength of my spirit to guide me.”
It’s such a short story with such a powerful impact. Read it because it’s fantasy romance. Let it stay with you and settle in your heart for the wounds it helps heal inside you.
This is a story I will not forget forget.
This book is whimsical, magical, enchanting perfection.
This book is perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens and These Hollow Vows.
I’ll leave you with my favorite quote… and then I’m going to go cry some more because this sweet little book has my whole heart.
“I’ll wait for you. Forever. Longer. Tell me to and I will.”
This is a 219 page novella that can be read by itself. And it will bring you so much joy… and a small amount of tears.
Our adorable and feisty main character is a witch who can wield lightning…. So cool.
When the magic in her world is starting to fade… she goes on a quest to find why. And who accompanies her? Oh just… a PRINCE. A hot prince. A dangerous and daring prince. A very flirty prince.
But... is that… just an act?
This little novella blew me away.
It was a breath of fresh air. It was whimsical, and hopeful, and powerful.
There is a little spice in here too with one of the best… most detailed… intimate, scorching, blush inducing scenes… I’ve ever read.
This book confirms that believing in yourself is your greatest strength.
You never know the silent battles we fight and the heavy weight of hardship we quietly carry.
This is the story about a witch and a prince who under the old laws are not allowed to be together as the power imbalance would be too great… ask me how you think that goes…
There’s magic and fae and the flow of magic through this whimsical world is great and powerful and such a cool concept to read about.
There’s also some big moments of growth and pain that are a little hard to go through, but incredibly important.
“I thought we’d moved past you equating me to the dirt under your boots. Even though I’ve never had anyone in my life to tell me, I know I am worth much more than that.”
This book has one of the best apology scenes I’ve ever read. It takes a big person to apologize and admit when you’re wrong and you’ve hurt someone and it was so precious and sweet and vulnerable. It’s one of the most tender apologies and moments of forgiveness I’ve ever read. It made my eyes leak tears uncontrollably.
What beautiful lessons of love and forgiveness.
This book reminds you that doing the right thing because you know it’s right. Whether you have someone at your back or not. That’s what’s important.
“Sometimes, it’s not about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about being the one willing to do what needs to be done.”
It’s about vulnerability and seeking happiness and joy.
“There was a flutter in my belly at the thought of doing something dangerous and unpredictable. Of relying on my wits and the strength of my spirit to guide me.”
It’s such a short story with such a powerful impact. Read it because it’s fantasy romance. Let it stay with you and settle in your heart for the wounds it helps heal inside you.
This is a story I will not forget forget.
This book is whimsical, magical, enchanting perfection.
This book is perfect for fans of An Enchantment of Ravens and These Hollow Vows.
I’ll leave you with my favorite quote… and then I’m going to go cry some more because this sweet little book has my whole heart.
“I’ll wait for you. Forever. Longer. Tell me to and I will.”
April 18, 2025
4.75 stars
“The storm is what excites me most, Eedy. You are raw. Chaotic. Untamable.” (ch 20)
Eedy was a weak witch whose only apparent power was the ability to catch lightning. Something was wrong with magic. It was acting strange and unstable. The magic of the land seemed to be dissipating. She was almost desperate to get the council of magi to see that her late father's work and research about it were valid and worth exploring further. But they were only ever dismissive of her and her father. She was just a pebble in their shoe, just as her father had been before her.
When it came time for investigating, to add insult to injury, the council paired her up with Prince Caelum, a veritable playboy with mischievous blue eyes who couldn't possibly offer up any logical insights or resourcefulness. They're tasked to find answers and what they could from the fae lands. When a deal with the fae king goes awry, they flee for their lives, the Prince gravely injured and on the brink of death.
It's a race now. Time and magic are running out for them... for everyone in the Kingdom.
......
Loved the plot, the absolute sizzle of connection to magic, to the land, to each other. It was by no means spicy, but still enjoyed Eedy and Caelum's forbidden interaction and transition from rivals to lovers, albeit a bit bittersweet. Magic is written and hums through this moderately paced read. It is delightful and tempestuous, an electrical charge to the heartstrings.
“You are a tempest, a storm to be reckoned with. I feel your thunder when you’re furious. Your winds when you snap out a witty reply. Torrential rain pounding down on me when you’re sad. And when we touch”— he squeezed my arm, and snaked his other hand around my waist, pulling me in closer—“ your lightning.” (ch 20)
Prequel novella to the Roots of Magic series, but can be read as a standalone or before or after the series.
eARC review.
“The storm is what excites me most, Eedy. You are raw. Chaotic. Untamable.” (ch 20)
Eedy was a weak witch whose only apparent power was the ability to catch lightning. Something was wrong with magic. It was acting strange and unstable. The magic of the land seemed to be dissipating. She was almost desperate to get the council of magi to see that her late father's work and research about it were valid and worth exploring further. But they were only ever dismissive of her and her father. She was just a pebble in their shoe, just as her father had been before her.
When it came time for investigating, to add insult to injury, the council paired her up with Prince Caelum, a veritable playboy with mischievous blue eyes who couldn't possibly offer up any logical insights or resourcefulness. They're tasked to find answers and what they could from the fae lands. When a deal with the fae king goes awry, they flee for their lives, the Prince gravely injured and on the brink of death.
It's a race now. Time and magic are running out for them... for everyone in the Kingdom.
......
Loved the plot, the absolute sizzle of connection to magic, to the land, to each other. It was by no means spicy, but still enjoyed Eedy and Caelum's forbidden interaction and transition from rivals to lovers, albeit a bit bittersweet. Magic is written and hums through this moderately paced read. It is delightful and tempestuous, an electrical charge to the heartstrings.
“You are a tempest, a storm to be reckoned with. I feel your thunder when you’re furious. Your winds when you snap out a witty reply. Torrential rain pounding down on me when you’re sad. And when we touch”— he squeezed my arm, and snaked his other hand around my waist, pulling me in closer—“ your lightning.” (ch 20)
Prequel novella to the Roots of Magic series, but can be read as a standalone or before or after the series.
eARC review.
March 25, 2025
First things first, congratulations on your upcoming official release and thank you so much for the opportunity to read your novella as an ARC, Jessa! This was my first ARC ever, and it was an unforgettable experience!
Now for my review:
This prequel novella was an amazing story, with a strong, albeit stubborn FMC. The amount of sarcastic remarks, both internal thoughts and out loud, were hysterical and made me love her all the more. Enter our MMC, Caelum “I thought I’d look cool holding it” Ashford (IYKYK). He’s got seemingly no care in the world, but of course we also know that nothing is ever what we see on the surface and we learn all about his life along the way.
The banter was bantering, the world and magic system was captivating and beautiful, and I am yearning for more.
Now as a side note from the story as a whole, the writing itself was so well done and I loved the flow that each chapter had. Jessa’s use of descriptors was gorgeous and I felt truly immersed in the world. If I had one thing “negative” to say about the writing style, it would only be that using italics for word emphasis can be really powerful but there were a few moments where the emphasized word felt unnecessary to me, but that is only my opinion it was still amazing from start to finish!!
Overall, this was a 4.75/5 but we always round up on Goodreads 😘 and I can’t wait for Call of The Hollow Witch this fall and what Jessa has in store for this universe 🥰
Now for my review:
This prequel novella was an amazing story, with a strong, albeit stubborn FMC. The amount of sarcastic remarks, both internal thoughts and out loud, were hysterical and made me love her all the more. Enter our MMC, Caelum “I thought I’d look cool holding it” Ashford (IYKYK). He’s got seemingly no care in the world, but of course we also know that nothing is ever what we see on the surface and we learn all about his life along the way.
The banter was bantering, the world and magic system was captivating and beautiful, and I am yearning for more.
Now as a side note from the story as a whole, the writing itself was so well done and I loved the flow that each chapter had. Jessa’s use of descriptors was gorgeous and I felt truly immersed in the world. If I had one thing “negative” to say about the writing style, it would only be that using italics for word emphasis can be really powerful but there were a few moments where the emphasized word felt unnecessary to me, but that is only my opinion it was still amazing from start to finish!!
Overall, this was a 4.75/5 but we always round up on Goodreads 😘 and I can’t wait for Call of The Hollow Witch this fall and what Jessa has in store for this universe 🥰
June 28, 2025
5✨
1.5🌶️
Omg okay I reeeeally loved this book. First though as always I want to thank the author for this opportunity. With that said, as always, the review is completely voluntary and honest.
This was a perfect introduction to the world to come with the main series this book is a prequel to. I didn’t know if I was going to be attached to the main characters since it’s a novella but boy did I become attached to Eedy and Caelum 😅. The relationship and romance didn’t feel rushed to me. Weeks pass within the story but the pacing stayed consistent. Eedy was grumpy but her sass was on point whenever Caelum was around 🤣. Caelum held his ground with her though and still encouraged her. It was precious 🥺
I don’t know much for the main series but it’s definitely high on my list for when book one is released in the fall 😍 (it’ll be witch x witch hunter..yes pleaseeee)
1.5🌶️
Omg okay I reeeeally loved this book. First though as always I want to thank the author for this opportunity. With that said, as always, the review is completely voluntary and honest.
This was a perfect introduction to the world to come with the main series this book is a prequel to. I didn’t know if I was going to be attached to the main characters since it’s a novella but boy did I become attached to Eedy and Caelum 😅. The relationship and romance didn’t feel rushed to me. Weeks pass within the story but the pacing stayed consistent. Eedy was grumpy but her sass was on point whenever Caelum was around 🤣. Caelum held his ground with her though and still encouraged her. It was precious 🥺
I don’t know much for the main series but it’s definitely high on my list for when book one is released in the fall 😍 (it’ll be witch x witch hunter..yes pleaseeee)
April 1, 2025
*I was given this book as an eArc but my review is based solely on my own thoughts and opinions*
I give the book 3.5 -4 stars. It was interesting. I never read a novella before, or at least I don’t think so. I’m not use to having a fantasy book so short haha. It’s kinda all wrapped up in a bow. If you’re looking for fantasy but also an easy read, this is it. Great for beginners who are just getting into these types of books. The author packed a good amount in such a small book. I however wish there was more, it did feel rushed at times but I understand why. I love it when a character gets drunk and has lowered their inhabitations and say what they mean instead of keeping it inside. Those are fun times haha. It was weird when the councilman spoke of her propriety and virtue when it came to being around the prince. Felt a little off. I like the princes venerability, that he’s much more than just a playboy. I love the instances you get to see behind his facade. The ending is a little sad though, keep that in mind, it’s not a happy ending per se.
One of my fav lines/conversations. Don’t ask me why, it was just cute:
"Right. Of course," I said, "because who could possibly want such a prickly, stubborn witch."
"Who said I didn't like prickly, stubborn things?"
"Nobody does." I gritted my teeth, pinching the bridge of my nose. "It's a universal fact."
"I would like to challenge that fact." He yawned, waving his pointer finger around wildly. "Insufficient data."
I give the book 3.5 -4 stars. It was interesting. I never read a novella before, or at least I don’t think so. I’m not use to having a fantasy book so short haha. It’s kinda all wrapped up in a bow. If you’re looking for fantasy but also an easy read, this is it. Great for beginners who are just getting into these types of books. The author packed a good amount in such a small book. I however wish there was more, it did feel rushed at times but I understand why. I love it when a character gets drunk and has lowered their inhabitations and say what they mean instead of keeping it inside. Those are fun times haha. It was weird when the councilman spoke of her propriety and virtue when it came to being around the prince. Felt a little off. I like the princes venerability, that he’s much more than just a playboy. I love the instances you get to see behind his facade. The ending is a little sad though, keep that in mind, it’s not a happy ending per se.
One of my fav lines/conversations. Don’t ask me why, it was just cute:
"Right. Of course," I said, "because who could possibly want such a prickly, stubborn witch."
"Who said I didn't like prickly, stubborn things?"
"Nobody does." I gritted my teeth, pinching the bridge of my nose. "It's a universal fact."
"I would like to challenge that fact." He yawned, waving his pointer finger around wildly. "Insufficient data."
March 23, 2025
Thank you Jessa Grey for the ARC!
This novella was absolutely gorgeous. And it made me think that there should be more novellas - this had no random filler, nothing dragged. It was perfectly paced. Eedy was an amazing main character, strong and courageous. And Caelum.. these blondes are ruining my life! No but really, ain’t nothing like a witty, funny, golden MMC. I cracked up so bad at Caelum being like AHH IDK I JUST THOUGHT I LOOKED COOL HOLDING IT. The magic storyline was interesting, and the romance was gorgeous. And yeah I cried.
I just really enjoyed it and it was heightened by its pacing and length. A beautiful, full novella.
Will definitely be reading the series following this!
This novella was absolutely gorgeous. And it made me think that there should be more novellas - this had no random filler, nothing dragged. It was perfectly paced. Eedy was an amazing main character, strong and courageous. And Caelum.. these blondes are ruining my life! No but really, ain’t nothing like a witty, funny, golden MMC. I cracked up so bad at Caelum being like AHH IDK I JUST THOUGHT I LOOKED COOL HOLDING IT. The magic storyline was interesting, and the romance was gorgeous. And yeah I cried.
I just really enjoyed it and it was heightened by its pacing and length. A beautiful, full novella.
Will definitely be reading the series following this!
April 14, 2025
As someone who never reads novellas, I was just reminded why that is.
This book left me a little sad and heartbroken. While the ending does wrap up pretty nicely, now I want to know how their story continues, and I already saw that the main series has two completely different main characters. However, I hope that, with the way we left things, the author will share some more tidbits and easter eggs in the following books.
For an ARC and a debut novel (I think?), this book was 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 well-written. There were barely any typos in the ARC version (which I personally think is important to be able to fully immerse yourself into the story), and the narration was very mature. No childish back-and-forth in the FMC's head, no awkward writing style. This read like a proper fantasy novel.
The world-building was also done really well. We, the readers, are able to really get a feel for the world and the magic system in it, without it being forced down our throats. It amazes me how the author was able to accomplish this so flawlessly in a short novella, while I've read plenty of 500-page books where the world-building felt rushed and forced.
The main characters were very likeable. I especially like the aspect of Eedy being the first and only female witch on a council of all-male mages. Their disregard of her was frustrating, yet so accurate and relevant for the current times.
The prince reminded me of an early-days Dorian Havilliard; a well-read and rake-ish smartass.. You just feel the sass dripping of every word he says, and you just know he has a permanent s;irk plastered on his face.
The banter between the two was fun and not at all forced. The love between them did go a little bit quickly, for my tastes, but I feel like I do need to take into account that this book has just over 200 pages so there is not much of an alternative. And the story does take place over the span of several weeks, even if it does feel much quicker than that, thanks to how fast-paced it is.
All in all, a great novella that perfectky sets the stage for the upcoming series and leaves you satisfied while still making you curious enough to see where we go from here.
This book left me a little sad and heartbroken. While the ending does wrap up pretty nicely, now I want to know how their story continues, and I already saw that the main series has two completely different main characters. However, I hope that, with the way we left things, the author will share some more tidbits and easter eggs in the following books.
For an ARC and a debut novel (I think?), this book was 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 well-written. There were barely any typos in the ARC version (which I personally think is important to be able to fully immerse yourself into the story), and the narration was very mature. No childish back-and-forth in the FMC's head, no awkward writing style. This read like a proper fantasy novel.
The world-building was also done really well. We, the readers, are able to really get a feel for the world and the magic system in it, without it being forced down our throats. It amazes me how the author was able to accomplish this so flawlessly in a short novella, while I've read plenty of 500-page books where the world-building felt rushed and forced.
The main characters were very likeable. I especially like the aspect of Eedy being the first and only female witch on a council of all-male mages. Their disregard of her was frustrating, yet so accurate and relevant for the current times.
The prince reminded me of an early-days Dorian Havilliard; a well-read and rake-ish smartass.. You just feel the sass dripping of every word he says, and you just know he has a permanent s;irk plastered on his face.
The banter between the two was fun and not at all forced. The love between them did go a little bit quickly, for my tastes, but I feel like I do need to take into account that this book has just over 200 pages so there is not much of an alternative. And the story does take place over the span of several weeks, even if it does feel much quicker than that, thanks to how fast-paced it is.
All in all, a great novella that perfectky sets the stage for the upcoming series and leaves you satisfied while still making you curious enough to see where we go from here.
April 25, 2025
4.5* — I’m sorry… WHAT? This was a NOVELLA? And a Debut, at that? It read like a 400-page book, with lots of world building and character development, swoon-worthy romance, and the kind of depth that I haven’t read in other novellas before. I can’t wait to read her next book, which is going to be the first official book of this series!
March 31, 2025
I received a copy as an ARC and this is my voluntary review: I really enjoyed this book!!! The world building was great, the slow burn was amazing, I have so many questions left but I'll definitely be continuing the series as it's published! Would definitely recommend!!
March 31, 2025
I loved this novella! It made me happy. And it really left me with wondering if after the book they got their happily ever after.
April 15, 2025
Looking for a fast-paced romantasy novella that punches you in the heart, makes you giggle, and leaves you gasping at the end?
Then *The Haven, The Hallow & The Highborn* might just be your next obsession. Set in a rich magical world and packed with emotion, banter, and beautifully bittersweet moments, this novella is a powerful start to *The Roots of Magic* series—one that promises something much greater is still to come.
This is easily one of the best novellas I’ve read—right up there with Carissa Broadbent’s *Six Scorched Roses* and *Slaying the Vampire Conqueror*. From the very first page, it hooked me with its elegant prose and electric emotional stakes.
The magic system is incredibly intriguing—especially Eedy’s ability to channel raw lightning. While we only get a glimpse of how the world’s magic truly works, it’s clear there's so much more to explore. I’m especially curious to see how the lore of the Hallows deepens in the next book (*The Hollow Witch*) and how magic evolves a century later. I can already tell it’s going to be epic.
Now, let’s talk about how much I *felt* while reading this. One minute I was giggling and kicking my feet at the banter, the next I was trying not to drown my Kindle in my own tears. I love a good sacrifice. I love a twist I don’t see coming. This one had both—and then some. Was it bittersweet? Absolutely. But that’s what makes a story linger long after you’ve finished it. Life itself is a tapestry of sacrifice and sorrow, purpose and passion. And if you ask me, Eedy and Caelum would absolutely live it all over again, heartbreak and all.
Eedy is such a compelling heroine. She's brave in the hardheaded, pure-hearted way—the kind of strength that comes from pushing forward even when it hurts. Her line, “Now I know that there is power in the doing. Taking action, even if no one else will,” stuck with me. That’s the kind of resolve that not only inspires people to follow her but also inspires readers to believe in their own power. And can we talk about how sweet her bond with her parents was? The way her father called her “my Eada” meaning “my world”? My heart melted into puddles.
And Caelum… *my sky.*
He’s the perfect blend of royal edge and emotional vulnerability. Brave, loyal, sharp-witted—he’s everything a dream book boyfriend should be. He walks that gorgeous line between selfish and selfless, which only makes him more real. And his moments with Eeda? Whew. I’ll be recovering for days.
That ending though? It has me in a *chokehold*. I will be holding my breath (and possibly rereading that last chapter) until the next book drops. I cannot wait to see how the story picks up a century later—it’s going to be epic!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Jessa Grey, for the honour of reading this ARC early. I’m beyond excited to be part of this journey as the series continues!
---
FINAL THOUGHTS:
☆FINAL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
☆RELEASE DATE: 15 April 2025
☆AGE GROUP: New Adult
☆BOOK #: Prequel novella (#0.5 in *The Roots of Magic*)
☆GENRE:
- Fantasy
- Romantasy
☆POV: Single POV, 3rd Person
☆TROPES:
- High stakes
- Rivals to lovers
- Banter
- Sacrifice
- Plot twists
- Forced proximity
- The chosen one
- He falls first
- Magic
☆RATINGS:
- Characters: 👥️👥️👥️👥️👥️ / 5
- Writing: ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️ / 5
- Plot: 📜📜📜📜📜 / 5
- Mystery: 🔎🔎🔎🔎 / 5
- Romance: 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 / 5
- Spice: 🌶🌶 (Low heat, high emotional intensity)
- Enemies-to-loversness: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 / 5
- Cliffhanger: ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️ *Prepare your soul*
---
● Favourite Quotes:
"Now I know that there is power in the doing. Taking action, even if no one else will."
"In that moment, I didn’t know the strength of my own heart. Not until I had to rip it out myself and leave it behind with him."
“To be clear,” he murmured against her lips, “what I wanted was every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day with you for as long as I breathed. And then, beyond that, if the gods would’ve allowed it.” … “But if this is all I’m granted, Eada, one day every ring, I will drink every last drop like the parched man I am and be happy with it.”
---
● Song Vibe:
“Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls
“You're the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be
And I don’t wanna go home right now...”
(A song that *feels* like Caelum whispering every word to Eedy.)
---
● Recommended if you like:
Carissa Broadbent’s novellas, poetic heartbreak, forbidden love, badass heroines, beautiful writing, and the kind of fantasy that lingers in your soul.
Then *The Haven, The Hallow & The Highborn* might just be your next obsession. Set in a rich magical world and packed with emotion, banter, and beautifully bittersweet moments, this novella is a powerful start to *The Roots of Magic* series—one that promises something much greater is still to come.
This is easily one of the best novellas I’ve read—right up there with Carissa Broadbent’s *Six Scorched Roses* and *Slaying the Vampire Conqueror*. From the very first page, it hooked me with its elegant prose and electric emotional stakes.
The magic system is incredibly intriguing—especially Eedy’s ability to channel raw lightning. While we only get a glimpse of how the world’s magic truly works, it’s clear there's so much more to explore. I’m especially curious to see how the lore of the Hallows deepens in the next book (*The Hollow Witch*) and how magic evolves a century later. I can already tell it’s going to be epic.
Now, let’s talk about how much I *felt* while reading this. One minute I was giggling and kicking my feet at the banter, the next I was trying not to drown my Kindle in my own tears. I love a good sacrifice. I love a twist I don’t see coming. This one had both—and then some. Was it bittersweet? Absolutely. But that’s what makes a story linger long after you’ve finished it. Life itself is a tapestry of sacrifice and sorrow, purpose and passion. And if you ask me, Eedy and Caelum would absolutely live it all over again, heartbreak and all.
Eedy is such a compelling heroine. She's brave in the hardheaded, pure-hearted way—the kind of strength that comes from pushing forward even when it hurts. Her line, “Now I know that there is power in the doing. Taking action, even if no one else will,” stuck with me. That’s the kind of resolve that not only inspires people to follow her but also inspires readers to believe in their own power. And can we talk about how sweet her bond with her parents was? The way her father called her “my Eada” meaning “my world”? My heart melted into puddles.
And Caelum… *my sky.*
He’s the perfect blend of royal edge and emotional vulnerability. Brave, loyal, sharp-witted—he’s everything a dream book boyfriend should be. He walks that gorgeous line between selfish and selfless, which only makes him more real. And his moments with Eeda? Whew. I’ll be recovering for days.
That ending though? It has me in a *chokehold*. I will be holding my breath (and possibly rereading that last chapter) until the next book drops. I cannot wait to see how the story picks up a century later—it’s going to be epic!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Jessa Grey, for the honour of reading this ARC early. I’m beyond excited to be part of this journey as the series continues!
---
FINAL THOUGHTS:
☆FINAL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
☆RELEASE DATE: 15 April 2025
☆AGE GROUP: New Adult
☆BOOK #: Prequel novella (#0.5 in *The Roots of Magic*)
☆GENRE:
- Fantasy
- Romantasy
☆POV: Single POV, 3rd Person
☆TROPES:
- High stakes
- Rivals to lovers
- Banter
- Sacrifice
- Plot twists
- Forced proximity
- The chosen one
- He falls first
- Magic
☆RATINGS:
- Characters: 👥️👥️👥️👥️👥️ / 5
- Writing: ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️ / 5
- Plot: 📜📜📜📜📜 / 5
- Mystery: 🔎🔎🔎🔎 / 5
- Romance: 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹 / 5
- Spice: 🌶🌶 (Low heat, high emotional intensity)
- Enemies-to-loversness: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤 / 5
- Cliffhanger: ✔️✔️✔️✔️✔️ *Prepare your soul*
---
● Favourite Quotes:
"Now I know that there is power in the doing. Taking action, even if no one else will."
"In that moment, I didn’t know the strength of my own heart. Not until I had to rip it out myself and leave it behind with him."
“To be clear,” he murmured against her lips, “what I wanted was every second, of every minute, of every hour, of every day with you for as long as I breathed. And then, beyond that, if the gods would’ve allowed it.” … “But if this is all I’m granted, Eada, one day every ring, I will drink every last drop like the parched man I am and be happy with it.”
---
● Song Vibe:
“Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls
“You're the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be
And I don’t wanna go home right now...”
(A song that *feels* like Caelum whispering every word to Eedy.)
---
● Recommended if you like:
Carissa Broadbent’s novellas, poetic heartbreak, forbidden love, badass heroines, beautiful writing, and the kind of fantasy that lingers in your soul.
April 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐for me
I received the book as an ARC but only recently got to finish it.
I do love the relationship between Eedy and Caelum. Their dynamic is very cute and soft, and the book had me tearing few times.
I really like the development of the story and the worldbuilding and magic system. It was really compelling and had me really invested in the story.
My main grief with the book is the end. The final developments felt really rushed and left a bittersweet aftertaste for me. Although I do love the concept of Eedy sacrificing herself for the Kingdom of Eyre, so much happened in so little time that you barely have the time to digest all of it.
Otherwise it was a really solid read!
I received the book as an ARC but only recently got to finish it.
I do love the relationship between Eedy and Caelum. Their dynamic is very cute and soft, and the book had me tearing few times.
I really like the development of the story and the worldbuilding and magic system. It was really compelling and had me really invested in the story.
My main grief with the book is the end. The final developments felt really rushed and left a bittersweet aftertaste for me. Although I do love the concept of Eedy sacrificing herself for the Kingdom of Eyre, so much happened in so little time that you barely have the time to digest all of it.
Otherwise it was a really solid read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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