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The Guardians of Alveston: Cursed
She believes that justice must have hands.
It was never her dream,
but she is willing to become them —
protecting the weak
and hunting those the world calls Renegads.
Her life is bound to the study of forbidden magic
and the protection of an order she was taught to serve.
But what happens when your teachers turn out
to be more dangerous
than the ones you were sent to hunt?
And what if your enemy is the one
who fights for you,
without sparing his own life?
"This is the first book in the romantic adventure Young Adult fantasy series The Guardians of Alveston. It immerses readers in the captivating story of the heroes' first meeting, set against the backdrop of the emerging intrigues within the Order of Alexei, and is sure to leave an unforgettable impression."
It was never her dream,
but she is willing to become them —
protecting the weak
and hunting those the world calls Renegads.
Her life is bound to the study of forbidden magic
and the protection of an order she was taught to serve.
But what happens when your teachers turn out
to be more dangerous
than the ones you were sent to hunt?
And what if your enemy is the one
who fights for you,
without sparing his own life?
"This is the first book in the romantic adventure Young Adult fantasy series The Guardians of Alveston. It immerses readers in the captivating story of the heroes' first meeting, set against the backdrop of the emerging intrigues within the Order of Alexei, and is sure to leave an unforgettable impression."
- GenresFantasy
286 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2024
2 people are currently reading
1668 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 4, 2025
This book was a solid read from start to finish. There is a very unique magical system that drew me in and I wanted to know more about it, I do wish there was a forward on each type of magic so that I could keep track however, the story still does a very good job of explaining. There was very good character building as the FMC and her sister. I do think for it being the debut book for this author she did a fantastic job in bringing to life something that I think she has been working on for a long time. I really liked the specific verbiage being used to describe some of the different monsters. All in all if you are a fan of fantasy, and like Harry Potter, this book is in that type of realm.
April 3, 2025
I loved this book, and the only reason it lost a star from me was the editing. Spelling of names charged throughout the book which made things difficult when reading. (Reading on kindle app). Otherwise the world was very interesting, and the magic was unique. I liked the characters. I’ll definitely try to read the next one!
February 24, 2025
This first book sets up sooo many things. And the world is great. The visuals that i was given while reading also FANTASTIC. I am looking forward to getting into the rest of this series when the time comes. Good romance and plot balance.
March 16, 2025
This book was so well written and kept me intrigued each page!
And top tier magic system .would recommend to everyone
And top tier magic system .would recommend to everyone
August 25, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Roni Krav for allowing me access to the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I think this book nails it when it comes to setting up a dark and mysterious atmosphere. You get a really creepy sense of the world off the jump which is great for the reader to get fully immersed in the world. Though at times it can be a little confusing.
I think this might intrigue fans of the Emily Wilde series who are looking for something a little more grittier. I think the prose itself is nice, and Tei is a very approachable character. Naitly is a little out there, but you kind of get used it.
However, the pacing was a bit all over the place and the tonal shifts were jarring. While most of the time I'd call the pacing slow, which made it a little bit of a slog—it also had fast moments and my god it was like breakneck speed. (For example the first battle with the Trods in part one.) Sadly, that brought down my experience in a big way.
I think this book nails it when it comes to setting up a dark and mysterious atmosphere. You get a really creepy sense of the world off the jump which is great for the reader to get fully immersed in the world. Though at times it can be a little confusing.
I think this might intrigue fans of the Emily Wilde series who are looking for something a little more grittier. I think the prose itself is nice, and Tei is a very approachable character. Naitly is a little out there, but you kind of get used it.
However, the pacing was a bit all over the place and the tonal shifts were jarring. While most of the time I'd call the pacing slow, which made it a little bit of a slog—it also had fast moments and my god it was like breakneck speed. (For example the first battle with the Trods in part one.) Sadly, that brought down my experience in a big way.
February 24, 2025
My opinion of this book are mixed, which will become apparent in this review. I am going to say a lot, and will keep my comments complimentary or constructive. Please keep in mind as you read that I still gave it 4 stars.
This book has good bones. Although there are a lot of familiar elements of the fantasy genre, they are presented in a fresh and interesting way. The ideas are interesting and the characters, at least what I know of them, are worth some of my time - at least at this point.
There are some investments the author and publishing team need to make to secure my continued interest. Many of the issues that need to be resolved could have been accomplished with a simple read through of the manuscript. The most basic being a quick check on spelling. I did not find any misspellings of the main female character's name, but I did find at least two occurrences of the misspelling of the main male character's name. The first time it took me a minute to realize that Nightly was actually Naitly. The other main moment of confusion cause by misspelling of a character's name was the male best friend. My reading was disrupted when I had to review the previous pages to see if I had missed the introduction of a character.
The author does provide plenty of dialogue between characters, and accomplishes this well, but too much of a good thing is still too much. Although there is a general belief that an author should show and not tell, a little explanation can go a long way in moving the understanding of the book forward, especially in fantasy where the reader is constantly being introduced to new ideas.
Which brings me to the next item, the elements of the fantasy novel. Her character building and world building need work. We are introduced to a lot of secondary characters, but none of these characters get any development other than her adopted sister, and her development is only what I got as needed through the book. Another fantasy staple that is unclear is the magic elements in the book. The different groups of those who possess magic are confusing, the gifts are unclear, and the curses seem to be introduced in the story line with little or no explanation. Many times I felt like I was tripping through the book trying to find information on what should have been explained to me. This pulled my focus from the characters and the main plot and makes read more laborious than it should be.
The last warning I want to provide is the lack of organization in the narrative. It seemed as if the author had a lot of ideas that she just wanted to get down before she forgot about them, but then didn't edit or review afterward. There are major items that should have been explained better, and seemingly minor elements that played no significant role in this book that were covered in more detail than the appearance of the main character.
Having said all that I want to remind you that I gave this book a 4 star rating. I think this first book is worth a read. I do hope the author and publishing team take a little more care in any future books and cure all the hiccups. Not unlike hiccups there are parts of this book that were uncomfortable to experience. Please give us a better experience next time.
This book has good bones. Although there are a lot of familiar elements of the fantasy genre, they are presented in a fresh and interesting way. The ideas are interesting and the characters, at least what I know of them, are worth some of my time - at least at this point.
There are some investments the author and publishing team need to make to secure my continued interest. Many of the issues that need to be resolved could have been accomplished with a simple read through of the manuscript. The most basic being a quick check on spelling. I did not find any misspellings of the main female character's name, but I did find at least two occurrences of the misspelling of the main male character's name. The first time it took me a minute to realize that Nightly was actually Naitly. The other main moment of confusion cause by misspelling of a character's name was the male best friend. My reading was disrupted when I had to review the previous pages to see if I had missed the introduction of a character.
The author does provide plenty of dialogue between characters, and accomplishes this well, but too much of a good thing is still too much. Although there is a general belief that an author should show and not tell, a little explanation can go a long way in moving the understanding of the book forward, especially in fantasy where the reader is constantly being introduced to new ideas.
Which brings me to the next item, the elements of the fantasy novel. Her character building and world building need work. We are introduced to a lot of secondary characters, but none of these characters get any development other than her adopted sister, and her development is only what I got as needed through the book. Another fantasy staple that is unclear is the magic elements in the book. The different groups of those who possess magic are confusing, the gifts are unclear, and the curses seem to be introduced in the story line with little or no explanation. Many times I felt like I was tripping through the book trying to find information on what should have been explained to me. This pulled my focus from the characters and the main plot and makes read more laborious than it should be.
The last warning I want to provide is the lack of organization in the narrative. It seemed as if the author had a lot of ideas that she just wanted to get down before she forgot about them, but then didn't edit or review afterward. There are major items that should have been explained better, and seemingly minor elements that played no significant role in this book that were covered in more detail than the appearance of the main character.
Having said all that I want to remind you that I gave this book a 4 star rating. I think this first book is worth a read. I do hope the author and publishing team take a little more care in any future books and cure all the hiccups. Not unlike hiccups there are parts of this book that were uncomfortable to experience. Please give us a better experience next time.
March 23, 2025
I felt no real connection the story the entire time I read this. I never truly felt immersed in the story. I was confused the majority of the time I was reading this. Multiple creatures were mentioned but I don’t ever recall getting a full description of them. Trods have tentacles and are meant to be huge but how many and how big are they? What are the whispers? Were they insects or bigger? What does the omnibus actually look like? What is the Dhargash? From what I gathered it’s some kind of curse but did I miss the full explanation?
I would’ve appreciated more information when it came to the world and more world building. I was left confused about the history and why the society is the way it is now. I would’ve loved to learn more about the characters environment and the school she was in. Why was she working for her sister in the Order but no other students had this sort of internship position? Speaking of this position why couldn’t she have a bag to carry all these folders because clearly it was too many to carry and she kept dropping them?What’s the history with tree mages? I would’ve liked more information about tree mages since Tei is one. I would’ve liked to know what other type of mages there are. Characters were brought in just to disappear and never be mentioned again (Naitly’s friend is one example).
Enemies to lovers is a major reach. Naitly was the mysterious guy who looked familiar but Tei couldn’t place from where. It bothered her only for her to never figure out why he seemed familiar. It was just forgotten. I also felt like there was so read build up to their relationship. I felt no emotional attachment to these characters. The ending confused me because I felt like I missed some major event as to why he was being shipped off and they couldn’t be together for now.
I gave this 2 stars because I did soft dnf this for a few days only to come back because I felt like it was going to get better. I kept getting drawn back because the story sounded interesting so I kept coming back but in the end it fell flat for me.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.
I would’ve appreciated more information when it came to the world and more world building. I was left confused about the history and why the society is the way it is now. I would’ve loved to learn more about the characters environment and the school she was in. Why was she working for her sister in the Order but no other students had this sort of internship position? Speaking of this position why couldn’t she have a bag to carry all these folders because clearly it was too many to carry and she kept dropping them?What’s the history with tree mages? I would’ve liked more information about tree mages since Tei is one. I would’ve liked to know what other type of mages there are. Characters were brought in just to disappear and never be mentioned again (Naitly’s friend is one example).
Enemies to lovers is a major reach. Naitly was the mysterious guy who looked familiar but Tei couldn’t place from where. It bothered her only for her to never figure out why he seemed familiar. It was just forgotten. I also felt like there was so read build up to their relationship. I felt no emotional attachment to these characters. The ending confused me because I felt like I missed some major event as to why he was being shipped off and they couldn’t be together for now.
I gave this 2 stars because I did soft dnf this for a few days only to come back because I felt like it was going to get better. I kept getting drawn back because the story sounded interesting so I kept coming back but in the end it fell flat for me.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.
January 6, 2025
The book presents a narrative that is almost entirely told rather than shown, which significantly detracts from the reading experience. This storytelling approach leaves me feeling disengaged and unable to fully enjoy the story.
One of the major issues is the excessive info dumping, often coming from the first-person perspective of the FMC or through dialogue. For instance, when the professor asks a question, multiple nameless students respond in agreement, creating unnecessary clutter. A single response would have sufficed, but instead, the repetition adds little value.
She feels bothered by the MC early on, but the reasons for her discomfort are not revealed. This lack of depth makes it difficult for readers to connect with her emotional journey.
The worldbuilding is another area that falls flat. While the story introduces new and unique creatures, they are not adequately described, leaving the overall setting feeling underdeveloped and poor. A more detailed exploration of the environment or the Order is essential for immersing readers in the story.
Repetition is prevalent throughout the text, with sentences and phrases echoing one another.
Example: I asked the driver to let me know when we reached the destination, which he did.
"We've arrived," the driver called loudly.
Or:
"the scenery blurred, only to become clear again but entirely different." 2 Sentences later: "This place looked entirely different."
Such redundancy diminishes the impact of the writing and could have been easily addressed in editing.
One of the major issues is the excessive info dumping, often coming from the first-person perspective of the FMC or through dialogue. For instance, when the professor asks a question, multiple nameless students respond in agreement, creating unnecessary clutter. A single response would have sufficed, but instead, the repetition adds little value.
She feels bothered by the MC early on, but the reasons for her discomfort are not revealed. This lack of depth makes it difficult for readers to connect with her emotional journey.
The worldbuilding is another area that falls flat. While the story introduces new and unique creatures, they are not adequately described, leaving the overall setting feeling underdeveloped and poor. A more detailed exploration of the environment or the Order is essential for immersing readers in the story.
Repetition is prevalent throughout the text, with sentences and phrases echoing one another.
Example: I asked the driver to let me know when we reached the destination, which he did.
"We've arrived," the driver called loudly.
Or:
"the scenery blurred, only to become clear again but entirely different." 2 Sentences later: "This place looked entirely different."
Such redundancy diminishes the impact of the writing and could have been easily addressed in editing.
February 24, 2025
Review of The Guardians of Alveston
The Guardians of Alveston is a dark fantasy filled with mystery, magic, and political intrigue. When a forbidden ritual unleashes chaos, student investigator Tei No One is sent to track down a fugitive among the Old Believers. With only the enigmatic cadet mage Naitly as an ally—who may have his own dangerous agenda—Tei must uncover the Order’s secrets before the spreading darkness consumes the northern lands.
The novel excels in its worldbuilding, creating an immersive setting where ancient forces lurk beneath the surface. The premise is compelling, and Tei’s determination to seek justice gives the story a strong moral backbone. However, the pacing is uneven, with the central mystery unfolding too slowly at times. While Tei is an intriguing protagonist, some of the supporting characters, including Naitly, could have been further developed to deepen the emotional stakes.
The writing is atmospheric, but occasionally leans too heavily on exposition, making certain sections feel dense. The tension builds well, yet the climax doesn’t fully deliver on the anticipation created throughout the novel.
Overall, The Guardians of Alveston has an engaging premise and strong worldbuilding but falls short in execution. Fans of dark fantasy will find elements to enjoy, but the slow pacing and underdeveloped side characters may leave some readers wanting more.
Rating: 3/5
The Guardians of Alveston is a dark fantasy filled with mystery, magic, and political intrigue. When a forbidden ritual unleashes chaos, student investigator Tei No One is sent to track down a fugitive among the Old Believers. With only the enigmatic cadet mage Naitly as an ally—who may have his own dangerous agenda—Tei must uncover the Order’s secrets before the spreading darkness consumes the northern lands.
The novel excels in its worldbuilding, creating an immersive setting where ancient forces lurk beneath the surface. The premise is compelling, and Tei’s determination to seek justice gives the story a strong moral backbone. However, the pacing is uneven, with the central mystery unfolding too slowly at times. While Tei is an intriguing protagonist, some of the supporting characters, including Naitly, could have been further developed to deepen the emotional stakes.
The writing is atmospheric, but occasionally leans too heavily on exposition, making certain sections feel dense. The tension builds well, yet the climax doesn’t fully deliver on the anticipation created throughout the novel.
Overall, The Guardians of Alveston has an engaging premise and strong worldbuilding but falls short in execution. Fans of dark fantasy will find elements to enjoy, but the slow pacing and underdeveloped side characters may leave some readers wanting more.
Rating: 3/5
January 16, 2026
Good world-building. The author really immerses you in this environment that is equally fantastical as it is horrific while still being grounded and having a very real, gritty feeling to it. I also appreciate that the world-building is sprinkled throughout the story and not simply dumped through large chunks of exposition.
I also find the characters very engaging. Tei is an excellent main character and I'm curious to watch her development in this series. I think the relationship between her and her adopted sister is perhaps my favorite, though Naitly is a close second.
However, I do think the plot was weak and fragmented. The pacing was a bit off at times -- I think the middle portion was a bit of a slog to get through -- and it did become bogged down. There seemed to be a lot of characters that were included but lacked significant purpose which weakened the characters themselves and their relationship to Tei. Sometimes it felt like the story lacked a through-line which led to some instances of being like "What are we doing here? What is the purpose of this scene? Why does this matter in the overarching plot of the book?" I do understand that this is the first in a series, but there are a few too many loose threads.
I also find the characters very engaging. Tei is an excellent main character and I'm curious to watch her development in this series. I think the relationship between her and her adopted sister is perhaps my favorite, though Naitly is a close second.
However, I do think the plot was weak and fragmented. The pacing was a bit off at times -- I think the middle portion was a bit of a slog to get through -- and it did become bogged down. There seemed to be a lot of characters that were included but lacked significant purpose which weakened the characters themselves and their relationship to Tei. Sometimes it felt like the story lacked a through-line which led to some instances of being like "What are we doing here? What is the purpose of this scene? Why does this matter in the overarching plot of the book?" I do understand that this is the first in a series, but there are a few too many loose threads.
September 1, 2025
Wonderful start for a fantasy series! The setting takes place in a fantasy world with humans having different levels and abilities of magic, and magical creatures living at the borders within this world.
The story gave Harry Potter vibes with the mystery and fear of the Six-Fingered King. I enjoyed the fast pace and had a difficult time putting it down. I loved how vivid the book was and I could imagine how everything looked, but I do wish there was a forward or “support” section to give definition to the different levels of magic and maybe a map showing the different levels and areas in the world.
I’m looking forward to the next in the series and congratulate the author on a well done job with her first book!
Thank you Roni Krav for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The story gave Harry Potter vibes with the mystery and fear of the Six-Fingered King. I enjoyed the fast pace and had a difficult time putting it down. I loved how vivid the book was and I could imagine how everything looked, but I do wish there was a forward or “support” section to give definition to the different levels of magic and maybe a map showing the different levels and areas in the world.
I’m looking forward to the next in the series and congratulate the author on a well done job with her first book!
Thank you Roni Krav for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 11, 2025
This was really a good story. I enjoy the whole new idea that was brought with this author. It is a romance/fantasy set in a whole new world. The main character is an orphan that is a tree mage which are rare. She is a student that is also an apprentice with the Order. Which the Order is a type of legal organization that helps with keeping justice in the areas. There are numerous other types of mages and students.
The area is being overtaken by monsters that are called trods. Really not to sure what they look like but they do a lot of destruction. There is a murder and it is Tei's job to help investigate what has happened. There is a lot to this story and it has some great twists and turns. Definitely a story to read and I can not wait for the next installment to come out.
The area is being overtaken by monsters that are called trods. Really not to sure what they look like but they do a lot of destruction. There is a murder and it is Tei's job to help investigate what has happened. There is a lot to this story and it has some great twists and turns. Definitely a story to read and I can not wait for the next installment to come out.
April 24, 2025
This was a very good book. I truly enjoyed the world and the characters that you get to learn about. The school is an interesting part, and I like hearing how Tei is going through both school and in person training. I love that she is trying to find ways to make her world better but also not fully rebelling. She truly believes she can make a difference, and she tries to be the change that is needed. I also enjoyed the small love interest that is in this book. I would love to see where that goes in further in the series. Overall, a great first book to a series that I am really looking forward to reading.
February 14, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It is a fantasy read with romance in. I liked Tei and Naightly's characters and the progression of their relationship. I enjoyed this world that was built, but I did feel that there were parts that could have been explained earlier, especially vocab specific to this world. I don't think I realized what a whisperer was until chapters into the book. Other than that, I liked the plot of the book-there's definitely a huge thriller element. The story continues in the next book. 4.5 stars
January 18, 2026
It’s a dark fantasy with a strong sense of magic 🔮and danger, but it never feels completely hopeless. The world can be dark, yet the characters feel real and layered. Each of them is trying to do what feels right in their own way, even when the choices aren’t easy. I liked that the romantic ♥️thread isn’t the main focus. It exists almost despite everything going on around them, which makes it feel honest and makes you wonder what will happen when the characters meet again. I really enjoyed the book and can’t stop thinking about what comes next🤔🙏
March 6, 2025
The book is absolutely captivating! The plot moves quickly, without long or tedious descriptions, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. The characters show remarkable growth throughout the story, making their journey even more compelling. The romance is both tender and mysterious, adding an extra layer of intrigue. I can’t wait to find out what happens next and am eagerly looking forward to the sequel!
March 22, 2025
This is the first book in a new series. It is full of magic, creatures, mystery, and has a strong theme of good vs evil. I really liked the storyline and the twist and turns of the plot. The characters still have some room to grow and develop but I’m invested in Tei and Naitly’s story and can’t wait to see where the series goes!
I would like to thank NetGalley and Roni Kramer for the opportunity to review this advance copy
I would like to thank NetGalley and Roni Kramer for the opportunity to review this advance copy
March 30, 2025
I wanted to thank the publisher for the e-arc!
While reading The Guardians of Alveston, I never found a reading rhythm that worked for me and the story—I usually kept waiting for the pace and story to pick up. Overall, the premise of the book sounded right up my alley, and I was looking forward to reading it. At the end, I’m glad I read it, but it didn’t leave me with a “I have to read the next book right now!” type of feeling.
While reading The Guardians of Alveston, I never found a reading rhythm that worked for me and the story—I usually kept waiting for the pace and story to pick up. Overall, the premise of the book sounded right up my alley, and I was looking forward to reading it. At the end, I’m glad I read it, but it didn’t leave me with a “I have to read the next book right now!” type of feeling.
June 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Roni Krav for the complimentary e-ARC. The blurb and premise of the book are very interesting and gripped me, but it didn't translate into the writing. There were inconsistencies with the characters, magic, and the world-building. I tried to stay connected with the story, but it fell flat for me. I DFNed at 25%. With additional revisions to tighten up the concept, this could be a good book.
March 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. That’s that kind of a book that keeps you up at night, as you are getting so engaged in it that you forgot to sleep! I definitely recommend it and looking forward for a next one from this author. Highly recommended by someone who reads a lot and knows what the good book feels like! Five starts!
January 19, 2026
The romance is subtle, but it adds a lot to the story, especially in such a dark world. The characters involved could easily have been enemies, which makes their dynamic more interesting. The investigation plot is unpredictable, and it slowly becomes clear that the stakes are much higher than you initially think.Highly recommend👆
February 6, 2025
Plenty of secrets throughout the story kept the book interesting and a page turner. Suspenseful story with multi layered characters. Addictive, intense at times, well written book. Definitely recommend.
March 4, 2025
This book chartered me off to a whole new world to which I wanted to learn more about the people and the place that I was reading about. I really enjoyed the Romance, the mystery, the suspense, the thrill. I truly enjoyed the story and hope there is more to come because I felt like we were left with a cliff hanger at the end. I want more!
The only negatives I really had with the book was that I struggled with pronunciation of people and places; I also had to go back and reread several passages to make sure I didn't mix up some of the characters.
The only negatives I really had with the book was that I struggled with pronunciation of people and places; I also had to go back and reread several passages to make sure I didn't mix up some of the characters.
March 6, 2025
I loved this book, not only because the interesting story with mysterios events, but because a descriptionns of this fantasy world, the details of the scenes. Fantasy is not exactly my favorive genre, but I like detective stories and I found one in the book.
March 26, 2025
I didn’t finish this book. I didn’t like the way it was written and got bored with the story. Hard to follow and couldn’t get into it. Sorry!
March 27, 2025
Дуже сподобалося! Особливо цікаве життя цього царства. Гарні імена героїв, назви тварин. Чекаю на продовження!
May 21, 2025
I love a good romance fantasy novel. This was great from beginning and end. I enjoyed the characters and the fantasy elements. I liked that it was an adventure fantasy and romance wrap into one.
January 2, 2025
She needs to find the one hiding in plain sight in the order and she will do whatever she needs to do to stop them. She may get help from him but he is hiding dark secrets of his own and she needs to be very careful. It is not going to be easy for her but she will get it done or die trying. See just how she gets on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I loved where I was taken
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I loved where I was taken
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews